Illustration of poison ivy
- poison ivy 1a
poison ivy
noun
1
a
: a climbing plant (Toxicodendron radicans synonym Rhus radicans) of the cashew family that is especially common in the eastern and central U.S., that has ternate leaves, greenish flowers, and white berries, and that produces an irritating oil causing a usually intensely itching skin rash
b
: any of several plants closely related to poison ivy
2
: a skin rash caused by poison ivy
Examples of poison ivy in a Sentence
I got poison ivy all over my arm.
Recent Examples on the Web
And no one, regardless of your experience level, likes to accidentally sit on poison ivy.
—
New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
Growing Conditions: Full sun and poor soil Size: 20 to 40 feet
Zones: 5–9
06 of 10
Virginia Creeper
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is often confused with poison ivy (which is also a native plant), but this vine has five leaflets, not three.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
Toby recounted a personal story of being able to quickly diagnose and treat a poison ivy rash on his daughter with an uploaded photo in a telemedicine consult, rather than spending the time and money to take her to an emergency department.
—Bill Frist, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Similar elastic bands at the ankles make for a secure fit, perfect for pulling over socks in areas where the poison ivy or poison oak hasn’t died back yet or to limit your chances of ticks.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poison ivy 
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New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
Growing Conditions: Full sun and poor soil Size: 20 to 40 feet
Zones: 5–9
06 of 10
Virginia Creeper
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is often confused with poison ivy (which is also a native plant), but this vine has five leaflets, not three.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
Toby recounted a personal story of being able to quickly diagnose and treat a poison ivy rash on his daughter with an uploaded photo in a telemedicine consult, rather than spending the time and money to take her to an emergency department.
—Bill Frist, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Similar elastic bands at the ankles make for a secure fit, perfect for pulling over socks in areas where the poison ivy or poison oak hasn’t died back yet or to limit your chances of ticks.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poison ivy
Dictionary Entries Near poison ivy
Cite this Entry
“Poison ivy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poison%20ivy. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
poison ivy
noun
1
a
: a climbing plant of the genus Rhus (R. radicans synonym Toxicodendron radicans) that is especially common in the eastern and central United States, that has leaves in groups of three, greenish flowers, and white berries, and that produces an acutely irritating oil causing a usually intensely itching skin rash
b
: any of several plants closely related to poison ivy
especially
: poison oak sense 1b
2
: a skin rash produced by poison ivy
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