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 Accuweather rated Monday’s air quality as fair, with low levels of tree, ragweed and grass pollen but high levels of mold and dust and dander. Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2024 Individuals with a ragweed allergy can have a reaction when eating cucumber.12 You could be potentially exposed to Salmonella—a germ that can cause food poisoning—if cucumbers are treated with certain wax coatings. Cynthia Sass, Mph, Rd, Health, 18 Nov. 2023 Pet dander, dust, ragweed, grass, and pollen can trigger your eyes to have an allergic reaction. Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2023 Autumn, with its emergence of cold, dry air and proliferation of ragweed and other allergens, is peak eyedrop season, experts say. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2023 Fall respiratory season Seasonal allergies have also arrived earlier than usual this fall, due to warmer temperatures that have caused ragweed to bloom sooner, said Dr. Shane Fernando. Noor Adatia, Dallas News, 13 Sep. 2023 Once Daily Relief targets itchy eyes and other allergic symptoms caused by grass, pollen, ragweed, and animals, like Bausch + Lomb Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops. Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2023 After entering the start and end destination, the tool populates the lowest pollution route based on the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and levels of common pollens, such as ash, grass and ragweed. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2023 As most people know, the late summer instigator of late-season allergic rhinitis is ragweed (Ambrosia artimisiifolia), with its bloom time that overlaps with many goldenrods but does so fully camouflaged in green flowers. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ragweed.' 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

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 19 Mar. 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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