bougainvillea

noun

bou·​gain·​vil·​lea ˌbü-gən-ˈvil-yə How to pronounce bougainvillea (audio)
ˌbō-, 
ˌbu̇-, 
-ˈvē-ə How to pronounce bougainvillea (audio)
variants or less commonly bougainvillaea
: any of a genus (Bougainvillaea) of the four-o'clock family of ornamental tropical American woody vines and shrubs with brilliant purple or red floral bracts

Examples of bougainvillea 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.
Give your bougainvillea well-draining soil and a sturdy support to grow on. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 May 2026 Winding stone paths lined with bougainvillea and jasmine that invite you to get lost, especially after dark. — Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2026 Pruning time for azaleas and camellias is over; continue to prune gardenias and bougainvillea. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 The way the bougainvillea vines grew thick on our trellis, a crown of magenta flowers welcoming us home, held so much meaning within it. — Literary Hub, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bougainvillea

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Louis Antoine de Bougainville

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bougainvillea was in 1849

Rhymes for bougainvillea

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Browse Nearby Words

Bougainville
bougainvillea
bougainvillia
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Cite this Entry

“Bougainvillea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bougainvillea. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bougainvillea

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bougainvillea

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