oleander

noun

ole·​an·​der ˈō-lē-ˌan-dər How to pronounce oleander (audio)
ˌō-lē-ˈan-
: a poisonous evergreen shrub (Nerium oleander) of the dogbane family with clusters of fragrant white to red flowers

Examples of oleander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The samples indicated the presence of yellow oleander, a poisonous plant, the FDA said. Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2024 Another recall was called on Friday, December 13, over supplements found to contain yellow oleander, a poisonous plant that is the subject of an FDA safety alert involving more than 20 products. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024 Another safety alert was recently updated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after two more supplement products were found to contain a toxic plant called yellow oleander. Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 There are gardens of oleander, palms, and cacti, and a swimming pool beneath a folly of Greek columns. Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for oleander 

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, alteration of arodandrum, lorandrum, perhaps alteration of Latin rhododendron — more at rhododendron

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oleander was in 1545

Dictionary Entries Near oleander

Cite this Entry

“Oleander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oleander. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

oleander

noun
ole·​an·​der ˈō-lē-ˌan-dər How to pronounce oleander (audio)
: a poisonous evergreen shrub with showy fragrant usually white, pink, or purple flowers

Medical Definition

oleander

noun
: a poisonous evergreen shrub (Nerium oleander) of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) with fragrant white to red flowers that contains oleandrin and was formerly used in medicine

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