Meaning & use

poinsettia

noun·Advanced

A plant with large, bright red or white leaf-like bracts, commonly used as a winter holiday decoration.

See it in a sentence

A large poinsettia sat on the mantel throughout the holiday season.

She watered the poinsettia carefully so its red leaves would not wilt.

A note on using this word

The plant's colorful parts are technically modified leaves called bracts, not petals; its true flowers are small and yellow.

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