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

Complete pruning of poinsettias, bougainvillea and wisteria by month’s end. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2025

By 1919, the Ecke family held around 100 plant patents for poinsettia modifications Albert Ecke has bred.2 Today, the company Ecke started is still a major poinsettia producer, claiming about half of the worldwide market share. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2024

Along with the traditional red, poinsettias can be pink, white or yellow. —Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 29 Nov. 2024

Remove 4 to 6 inches of new growth from poinsettias to encourage compact growth. 51. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 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