wisteria

noun

wis·​te·​ria wi-ˈstir-ē-ə 

variants or less commonly wistaria

wi-ˈstir-ē-ə 

also

-ˈster- 

: any of a genus (Wisteria) of mostly woody leguminous vines of China, Japan, and the southeastern U.S. that have pinnately compound leaves and long racemes of showy blue, white, purple, or rose papilionaceous flowers and that include several (such as W. sinensis and W. floribunda) grown as ornamentals

Illustration of wisteria

Examples of wisteria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Invasive plants such as English ivy and Chinese wisteria are also potentially destructive. —Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026

This can include plants such as hardy hibiscus, buddleia, wisteria, pervoskia, and rudbeckia, which are all examples of plants that emerge later in the spring, says Engel. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2026

Tucked behind a secret door, the Captain’s Quarters is a 22-seat bar offering bartender’s-choice cocktails amid warm woods, glowing lamps and cascading wisteria symbolizing friendship, longevity and luck. —Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Drawing from the series’ most iconic symbols — bows, bees, wisteria, and friendship motifs — the collection reimagines Bridgerton’s ornate world through a modern, wearable lens. —Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Wisteria, from Caspar Wistar †1818 American physician

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wisteria

• arteria
• bacteria
• criteria
• diphtheria
• egeria
• listeria
• neisseria
• cafeteria
• cyanobacteria
• mycobacteria

Kids Definition

wisteria

noun

wis·​te·​ria wis-ˈtir-ē-ə 

variants also wistaria

-ˈtir-ē-ə 

also

-ˈter- 

: any of a genus of mostly woody vines of China, Japan, and the southeastern U.S. that belong to the legume family and have leaves with numerous leaflets and showy blue, white, purple, or rose flowers in long hanging clusters

Etymology

named for Caspar Wistar 1761–1818 American physician