Canada thistle

noun

: a European thistle (Cirsium arvense) with pinkish-purple or white flowers naturalized as a weed in North America

Examples of Canada thistle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The other noxious weeds listed in both states are Canada thistle and Kudzu. Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024 Unlike many other perennial weeds, dandelions don’t spread vegetatively, that is, by creeping along the ground like blackberry vines, or spreading underground by the root like Canada thistle. oregonlive, 19 Apr. 2022 In addition, the State of Wisconsin also defined three plants to be noxious weeds in the 1970s, including Canada thistle, leafy spurge and field bindweed. Jennifer Rude Klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2021 Also prevalent are Callery pear, better known as the Bradford pear, wintercreeper, Canada thistle, garlic mustard, burning bush, multiflora rose, autumn olive, Japanese honeysuckle and Japanese knotweed. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Nov. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Canada thistle was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near Canada thistle

Cite this Entry

“Canada thistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Canada%20thistle. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

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