begonia

[ bih-gohn-yuh, -goh-nee-uh ]

/ bɪˈgoʊn yə, -ˈgoʊ ni ə /

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noun

any tropical plant belonging to the genus Begonia, including species cultivated for the handsome, succulent leaves and waxy flowers.

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Origin of begonia

<New Latin (Linnaeus), named after Michel Bégon (1638–1710), French patron of science; see -ia

Words nearby begonia

begin with, begird, beg off, begombed, begone, begonia, begorra, begot, begotten, beg-pardon, begrime

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use begonia in a sentence

Among foliage plants such things as coleus, dusty miller, begonia, and some geraniums are adaptable.
The Practical Garden-Book|C. E. Hunn
The begonia leaf may be treated in various other ways and still give good results.
The Practical Garden-Book|C. E. Hunn
Begonia leaves, however, will throw out young plants from the main veins when these veins or ribs are cut.
The Practical Garden-Book|C. E. Hunn
Mr. Herbert Spencer (speaking of the reproduction, by budding, of a Begonia-leaf) recognizes a power of the kind.
On the Genesis of Species|St. George Mivart

But any leaf of begonia can be made to develop into a new plant, giving rise to germ-cells.
The Whence and the Whither of Man|John Mason Tyler

British Dictionary definitions for begonia

begonia

/ (bɪˈɡəʊnjə) /

noun

any plant of the genus Begonia, of warm and tropical regions, widely cultivated for their ornamental leaves and waxy flowers: family Begoniaceae

Word Origin for begonia

C18: New Latin, named after Michel Bégon (1638–1710), French patron of science

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012