chickweed

noun

chick·​weed ˈchik-ˌwēd 

: any of various low-growing small-leaved weedy plants of the pink family (especially genera Cerastium and Stellaria)

especially : a cosmopolitan weed (Stellaria media) naturalized in the U.S. from Eurasia

Illustration of chickweed

Examples of chickweed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are weeds like nutsedge (Cyperus spp.) and West Indian chickweed (Drymaria cordata) that reproduce and spread quickly, competing with turfgrasses for nutrients, water, and sunlight. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025

Next, my advice to reuse soil resulted in chickweeds growing in some containers. —Jeff Lowenfels | Alaska Gardening and Growing, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Mar. 2023

Fortunately, chickweed can be used as a cover crop up until flowers start to appear. —Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 22 June 2023

Dandelions, clover, chickweed, and bittercress all fall into this category. —Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chickweed

• mouse-ear chickweed

Kids Definition

chickweed

noun

chick·​weed ˈchik-ˌwēd 

: any of several low-growing small-leaved weedy plants related to the pinks