plumbago

noun

plum·​ba·​go ˌpləm-ˈbā-(ˌ)gō How to pronounce plumbago (audio)
plural plumbagos
1
[New Latin, from Latin] : any of a genus (Plumbago of the family Plumbaginaceae, the plumbago family) of chiefly tropical herbs and shrubs with alternate leaves and spikes of showy flowers
2

Examples of plumbago in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
An interior courtyard blooms with chin-high hydrangeas and Chinese plumbago, and there are cases of Chateau Clarisse, a winery in Bordeaux run by the owners of the hotel, stacked in the creamy Italian marble bar. Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2024 In the right conditions, cape plumbago can grow from 6 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, but it can be cut back. Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2024 My other plumbago in a separate pot does not have them. Neil Sperry, San Antonio Express-News, 27 May 2022 This year the list is longer and includes more cold-hardy plants such as oleander, rosemary, blue plumbago, viburnum, lantana, roses, shrimp plant, roses and Turks cap. Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Mar. 2021 While popular perennials, such as lantana, salvia, plumbago and shrimp plants, have all died back to the ground, the roots may still be alive. Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Feb. 2021 Among the virtual rainbow of plants are foxtail agave, sea lavender, society garlic, blue chalksticks, lantana, Texas sundrop, paddle plants, butterfly bush, cape plumbago, agapanthus and a small bougainvillea bush. San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2020 Outside the fence along the sidewalk, blue plumbago and yellow melampodium dominate the plantings. R. Stephanie Bruno, NOLA.com, 10 Sep. 2020 Scaevolas spread as ground covers, plumbagos grow into blooming shrubs, and the sculptural succulents thrive in full sun. Grace Haynes, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Latin plumbagin-, plumbago galena, from plumbum

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of plumbago was in 1732

Dictionary Entries Near plumbago

Cite this Entry

“Plumbago.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumbago. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

plumbago

noun
plum·​ba·​go ˌpləm-ˈbā-(ˌ)gō How to pronounce plumbago (audio)
plural plumbagos

More from Merriam-Webster on plumbago

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