poinsettia

noun

poin·set·tia | \ pȯin-ˈse-tē-ə

, nonstandard pȯint-, nonstandard -ˈse-tə

Definition of poinsettia

: any of several spurges (genus Euphorbia) with flower clusters subtended by showy involucral bracts especially : a showy Mexican and Central American plant (E. pulcherrima) with tapering usually scarlet bracts that suggest petals and surround small yellow flowers

Examples of poinsettia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the days get even longer and the poinsettias grow up above the shrubs, new shoots should return to the normal green. — Tom Maccubbin, orlandosentinel.com, "Leaving seed pods on canna plants isn’t necessary," 7 June 2019 Six framed paintings adorn the wall nearest the kitchen table, all of poinsettias, but each one different from the next. — Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville couple refurbished their Victorian home to highlight historic touches," 6 June 2019 Remove 4 to 6 inches of new growth from poinsettias to encourage compact growth. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "July in the garden," 30 June 2018 In their sparsely furnished apartment in a working-class neighborhood here, there are a few signs of the holidays: a poinsettia, pine branches and bags of presents from their attorney. — Arian Campo-flores, WSJ, "After Separation at Border, a Family Celebrates First Holidays in U.S.," 24 Dec. 2018 Life-like toy soldiers line the perimeter, poinsettias add a pop of color, and cedar hangs from wall-to-wall for a truly magical Christmas experience. — Kara Thompson, Town & Country, "T&C Travel Guide: Winter In Cape May, New Jersey," 10 Dec. 2018 Follow these rules to keep the red on the poinsettias and the green in your wallet. — Carmen Wong Ulrich, Good Housekeeping, "Spend Less, Give More," 15 Nov. 2011 Every year, the space gets a 15-foot-tall tree made of approximately 150 real poinsettia plants, alongside other smaller trees—although the details are always subject to change. — Robert Khederian, Town & Country, "How Newport's Gilded Age Mansions Are Decorated for Christmas," 13 Dec. 2018 Unlike Maxwell's softer palette, Shayk opted for a natural face punctuated only by a statement lip—in bright poinsettia red, no less—to convey that extra holiday spirit. ’Tis the season! — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Irina Shayk and Stella Maxwell Do Holiday BFF Beauty Like True Supermodels," 13 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'poinsettia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.