sow thistle

noun

: any of a genus (Sonchus) of spiny weedy Eurasian and African composite herbs including some (such as S. arvensis and S. oleraceus) widely naturalized in North America

Examples of sow thistle 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.
Other native plant enemies include sow thistle; dandelions, which spread clouds of seeds once their cheerful yellow flowers dry up; tall bulky horseweed; round-leaved cheeseweed; purslane; and spurge, which blanket the ground like thick green doilies. Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sow thistle was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near sow thistle

Cite this Entry

“Sow thistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sow%20thistle. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on sow thistle

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!