Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

poinciana

American  
[poin-see-an-uh] / ˌpɔɪn siˈæn ə /

noun

  1. any of several other tropical trees of the legume family, with showy flowers, as Caesalpina pulcherrima dwarf poinciana or Peltophorum pterocarpum yellow poinciana.

  2. royal poinciana.


poinciana British  
/ ˌpɔɪnsɪˈɑːnə /

noun

  1. any tree of the tropical leguminous genera Caesalpinia (formerly Poinciana ) having large orange or red flowers See royal poinciana

"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

Etymology

Origin of poinciana

First recorded in 1725–35; from New Latin; named after M. de Poinci, 17th-century governor of the French Antilles; -an, -a 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They imported specimens — including flowering purple jacaranda and red poinciana — that became signatures of Cairo’s streets.

From Seattle Times

Sometimes it feels as though the season’s only rewards are royal poinciana blooms, ripened mangoes and fewer tourists.

From New York Times

During the opening weekend, the poinciana trees were in bright orange flower around the National Museum, the biennial’s main site, which sits next to the provincial Parliament house.

From New York Times

Tip: Instead of hunting for typical colors, try looking out for these blooming plants, trees, and flowers such as the African tulip, chorisia speciosa, timor, royal poinciana and rainbow shower, Trip Savvy recommends.

From Fox News

When she went out Monday morning, the tree had snapped, half wedged in her poinciana tree, the rest leaning on her roof.

From New York Times