wisteria

[ wi-steer-ee-uh ]

noun

1. any climbing shrub belonging to the genus Wisteria, of the legume family, having showy, pendent clusters of blue-violet, white, purple, or rose flowers.

wisteria

/ wɪˈstɪərɪə /

noun

1. any twining leguminous woody climbing plant of the genus Wisteria, of E Asia and North America, having blue, purple, or white flowers in large drooping clusters

Word History and Origins

Origin of wisteria¹

< New Latin Wistaria (1818), named after Caspar Wistar (1761–1818), U.S. anatomist; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of wisteria¹

C19: from New Latin, named after Caspar Wistar (1761–1818), American anatomist

Example Sentences

Bruce and Gill host the class once a year in the springtime, when their wisteria vines bloom with purple flowers.

From Los Angeles Times

There were often surprise presents delivered in the truck: One birthday, it was a purple wisteria tree; one Valentine’s day, it was a vintage O’Keefe & Merritt stove.

From Los Angeles Times

A venerable wisteria dripping with chains of purple blooms is breathtaking.

From Seattle Times

Proxenos said one of the things she likes best about her house is the wisteria, planted in 1998, that blossoms in the spring on some of the outside walls.

From Washington Post

"I think of wisteria, a falling down house, crazy women, lots of stuff that doesn't seem salient to me, but who the hell cares?"

From Salon