ragweed

noun

rag·​weed ˈrag-ˌwēd How to pronounce ragweed (audio)
: any of various chiefly North American weedy composite herbs (genus Ambrosia) that produce highly allergenic pollen

Illustration of ragweed

Illustration of ragweed

Examples of ragweed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
People in Boston escaped ragweed seasons at the Bretton Woods resort in New Hampshire while those in other cities had similar escapes. Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024 These include ragweed, certain types of perfume, nail lacquer vapor, and insecticide spray. Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024 People with oral allergy syndrome (OAS) may develop a strawberry tongue after eating raw fruits or vegetables pollinated by grasses, birch trees, or ragweed. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Oct. 2024 Unlike tree pollen, which usually causes allergies in the springtime, ragweed pollen is a huge trigger that causes fall allergies. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ragweed 

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ragweed was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near ragweed

Cite this Entry

“Ragweed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ragweed. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ragweed

noun
rag·​weed ˈrag-ˌwēd How to pronounce ragweed (audio)
: any of various chiefly North American weedy herbs related to the daisies and producing pollen irritating to the eyes and noses of some persons

Medical Definition

ragweed

noun
rag·​weed ˈrag-ˌwēd How to pronounce ragweed (audio)
: any of various chiefly North American weedy herbaceous plants comprising the genus Ambrosia and producing highly allergenic pollen responsible for much hay fever and asthma: as
a
: an annual weed (A. artemisiifolia) with finely divided foliage that is common on open or cultivated ground in much of North America
b
: a coarse annual (A. trifida) with some or all of the leaves usually deeply and palmately 3-cleft or 5-cleft

called also great ragweed

More from Merriam-Webster on ragweed

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