kudzu

noun

: a fast-growing Asian vine (Pueraria lobata) of the legume family that is used for forage and erosion control and is often a serious weed in the southeastern U.S.

Examples of kudzu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Every living branch and twig of the human family tree had shot up from this mitochondrial Eve and spread like kudzu over the face of the globe, binding all humans in an intimate web of relatedness. James Shreeve, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Get Involved: Reporting kudzu sightings to the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may help managers keep the invasive vine under control. Krista Langlois, Outside Online, 10 Mar. 2023 So, before kudzu, loosestrife and spurge take over your blank patches, plant plants. Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023 Mangum apparently had a vague idea of Hart still adding electronics to it, but everyone knew, sitting there beneath the peaceful kudzu with their vegetarian food, that the record was done. Marc Hogan, Pitchfork, 25 Aug. 2023 The Alabama girl reported kidnapped from outside a Walker County home was found inside her father’s SUV deep in the kudzu across the street from where the vehicle was reported stolen. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 11 July 2023 An investigation into how the car ended up in the kudzu is ongoing, Woodard told the outlet. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 11 July 2023 Tragedy: Boring buildings everywhere Generic glass towers and endless banal apartment blocks spread like kudzu across this too-conventional city. Mark Lamster, Dallas News, 11 Apr. 2023 By then, the disease had carpeted her pelvic organs like kudzu. Jena Pincott, Scientific American, 1 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kudzu.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Japanese kuzu

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kudzu was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near kudzu

Cite this Entry

“Kudzu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kudzu. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kudzu

noun
kud·​zu ˈku̇d-zü How to pronounce kudzu (audio)
: a fast-growing trailing Asian vine that is related to the pea, is grown for grazing and for erosion control, and is often a serious weed in the southeastern U.S.
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