-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
castor-oil plant
noun
cas·tor-oil plant
: a tropical Old World herb (Ricinus communis) widely grown as an ornamental or for its oil-rich castor beans
Examples of castor-oil plant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For florists, the danger isn’t metaphorical; Thompson recalls a colleague who was momentarily blinded when handling a castor-oil plant.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2020
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1836, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near castor-oil plant
Cite this Entry
“Castor-oil plant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/castor-oil%20plant. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
castor-oil plant
noun
: a tropical Old World herb widely grown as an ornamental plant or for its oil-rich seeds
Medical Definition
castor-oil plant
noun
: a tropical Old World herb of the genus Ricinus (R. communis) widely grown as an ornamental or for its oil-rich castor beans that are a source of castor oil
More from Merriam-Webster on castor-oil plant
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about castor-oil plant
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share