bougainvillea

American  

[boo-guhn-vil-ee-uh, -vil-yuh, boh-] / ˌbu gənˈvɪl i ə, -ˈvɪl yə, ˌboʊ- /

noun

1. any of several shrubs or vines of the genus Bougainvillea, native to South America, having small flowers with showy, variously colored bracts, and often cultivated in warm regions.

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bougainvillea British  

/ ˌbuːɡənˈvɪlɪə /

noun

1. any tropical woody nyctaginaceous widely cultivated climbing plant of the genus Bougainvillea , having inconspicuous flowers surrounded by showy red or purple bracts

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Etymology

Origin of bougainvillea

1789; < New Latin, named after L. A. de Bougainville

Example Sentences

Its entrance is sealed with a crude brick-and-mud wall, and an overgrown bougainvillea, bright with pink blooms, spills over the front boundary.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

In a neighbourhood close to the scene of the attack - where plush villas and foreign embassies sit behind high walls, topped with bougainvillea - the streets lay empty.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

So maybe the bougainvillea can’t climb up the side wall anymore.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2025

Vines: Some popular vines that can grow up a wall include plants such as grapes, passion fruit and bougainvillea.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2023

I asked for God’s blessing and carried red bougainvillea flowers for my mother.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver