poinsettia

noun

poin·​set·​tia pȯin-ˈse-tē-ə 

 nonstandard  pȯint-,

nonstandard

-ˈse-tə 

: 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

Illustration of poinsettia

Examples of poinsettia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Use leaves to shape poinsettias: To shape the leaves into poinsettias, pipe small mounds of frosting on top of cake or cupcakes to serve as bases for the poinsettias. —Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024

Ecke started growing and selling his poinsettias in a field on Sunset Boulevard but moved to Encinitas around 1923, where Ecke Ranch became the largest poinsettia producer in the world. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025

The students snap pictures of Spiderman stuffed animals set up in a white box, while across the room other students arrange poinsettias in front of a white poster board for a photo shoot. —Keri Heath, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Dec. 2024

Give all poinsettias a spring trimming; repot new ones or add them to the landscape. 39. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Joel R. Poinsett †1851 American diplomat

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

poinsettia

noun

poin·​set·​tia pȯin-ˈset-ē-ə  -ˈset-ə 

: a showy Mexican and Central American plant with large scarlet bracts that grow like petals about its small yellow flowers