oleander

American  

[oh-lee-an-der, oh-lee-an-] / ˈoʊ liˌæn dər, ˌoʊ liˈæn- /

noun

1. a poisonous shrub, Nerium oleander, of the dogbane family, native to southern Eurasia, having evergreen leaves and showy clusters of pink, red, or white flowers, and widely cultivated as an ornamental.

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oleander British  

/ ˌəʊlɪˈændə /

noun

1. Also called: rosebay.  a poisonous evergreen Mediterranean apocynaceous shrub or tree, Nerium oleander, with fragrant white, pink, or purple flowers

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Etymology

Origin of oleander

1540–50; < Medieval Latin oleander, oliandrum, obscurely akin to Late Latin laurandrum, perhaps a conflation of Latin laurus laurel and rhododendron rhododendron

Example Sentences

I half expected a Snidely Whiplash twirl of the mustache or a Bertram Oleander sidewise glance and sneer.

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2026

Oleander leaf scorch, which can infect olives because they are in the same family as oleanders, can cause leaf yellowing and localized defoliation.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2023

Oleander — huge dark mounds with pink and white flowers.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2022

One day federal agents simultaneously raided “soda parlors” in Mankato, including Mettler’s and the Oleander.

From Washington Times • Jan. 27, 2020

Oleander bushes flanked the road leading up to the main gate of the Ravenel Marine Air Station.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy