privet

American  

[priv-it] / ˈprɪv ɪt /

noun

1. any of various deciduous or evergreen shrubs of the genus Ligustrum, especially L. vulgare, having clusters of small white flowers and commonly grown as a hedge.

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privet British  

/ ˈprɪvɪt /

noun

1. 1. any oleaceous shrub of the genus Ligustrum, esp L. vulgare or L. ovalifolium , having oval dark green leaves, white flowers, and purplish-black berries

   2. ( as modifier )

      a privet hedge

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Etymology

Origin of privet

First recorded in 1535–45; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

“There was a privet hedge, a lonely juniper, a hibiscus, a large bird of paradise and a camellia bush,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

The sites were relatively undisturbed by humans and didn’t have common invasive plants such as Chinese privet.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 5, 2023

On the morning of 29 May 2008 a park ranger discovered a woman's body behind a privet hedge in the middle of Queen's Park, Glasgow.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2020

Mr. Saralegui said it was one part privet.

From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2018

I walked through gas station and motel forecourts and across restaurant parking lots, clambered over concrete barriers, crossed lawns, and pushed through neglected ranks of privet or honeysuckle at property boundaries.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson