Illustration of milkweed
milkweed
noun
milk·weed
ˈmilk-ˌwēd 
: any of various plants that secrete latex
especially
: any of a genus (Asclepias of the family Asclepiadaceae, the milkweed family) of erect chiefly perennial herbs with milky juice and umbellate flowers
Examples of milkweed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Prices range from $4 for 2-inch pots of milkweed and native perennials, and $7 to $10 for 4-inch pots.
—
Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Don't be surprised when the milkweed's leaves start having holes.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
Butterflies will only lay their eggs on milkweed, says Seiler.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
Educational signs at sites along the trail encourage visitors to help save the butterflies by planting native milkweed and nectar plants and reducing the use of insecticides and herbicides.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Feb. 2024
Schaller will lead a hands-on demonstration focusing on early cultivation of common milkweed, a host plant of monarch butterflies.
—Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024
One bright spot: Some have been spotted in new areas, possibly thanks to folks planting more milkweeds.
—Brooke Staggs, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2024
For the workshop, Schaller will supply common milkweed seeds harvested from her home garden in Homer Glen, as well as seeds provided by family and friends.
—Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024
The population has dropped precipitously in recent years because of the replacement of milkweed with conventional landscaping plants.
—Giuseppe Ricapito, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2024
Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Don't be surprised when the milkweed's leaves start having holes.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
Butterflies will only lay their eggs on milkweed, says Seiler.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
Educational signs at sites along the trail encourage visitors to help save the butterflies by planting native milkweed and nectar plants and reducing the use of insecticides and herbicides.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Feb. 2024
Schaller will lead a hands-on demonstration focusing on early cultivation of common milkweed, a host plant of monarch butterflies.
—Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024
One bright spot: Some have been spotted in new areas, possibly thanks to folks planting more milkweeds.
—Brooke Staggs, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2024
For the workshop, Schaller will supply common milkweed seeds harvested from her home garden in Homer Glen, as well as seeds provided by family and friends.
—Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024
The population has dropped precipitously in recent years because of the replacement of milkweed with conventional landscaping plants.
—Giuseppe Ricapito, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'milkweed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1592, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing milkweed
Articles Related to milkweed
Dictionary Entries Near milkweed
Cite this Entry
“Milkweed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milkweed. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
milkweed
noun
milk·weed
ˈmil-ˌkwēd
: any of various herbs with milky juice and flowers usually in dense clusters
Medical Definition
milkweed
noun
milk·weed
ˈmilk-ˌwēd
: any of various plants that secrete latex
especially
: any plant of the genus Asclepias (family Asclepiadaceae, the milkweed family) including several whose dried roots were formerly used medicinally
More from Merriam-Webster on milkweed
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share