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.
Chloe then baked a cake poisoned with oleander leaves killing the owner’s wife and some children. — Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025 Choose plants that are meant to be eaten like herbs instead of toxic hollies or oleander. — Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026 Speed matters, especially with sago palm, oleander, and lilies. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026 Always wear protective coverings when working with your oleander plant. — Adrienne Jordan, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026 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

Rhymes for oleander

See All Rhymes for oleander

Browse Nearby Words

Oleales
oleander
oleander aphid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oleander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oleander. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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
ole·​an·​der ˈō-lē-ˌan-dər, ˌō-lē-ˈ How to pronounce oleander (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on oleander

Nglish: Translation of oleander for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oleander

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