dandelion

noun

dan·​de·​li·​on ˈdan-də-ˌlī-ən 

-dē-

: any of a genus (Taraxacum) of yellow-flowered composite herbs with milky sap

especially : one (T. officinale) sometimes grown as a potherb and nearly cosmopolitan as a weed

Illustration of dandelion

Examples of dandelion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This capsule helps target bloating and digestive discomfort associated with dairy or gluten triggers with a blend of protease enzymes, dandelion root, turmeric, and pepper. —Brianna Peters, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025

In their restaurant 95% of ingredients are produced by members of the cooperative and are used to create dishes such as nettle and dandelion croquettes, or artichokes stuffed with hazelnuts. —Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Villagers rely on herbal remedies such as mint, cilantro, dandelions, and date palm. —Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2025

Perennial Weeds Plantains, dandelions, creeping Charlie, quackgrass, and nutsedge are examples of perennial weeds. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dendelyoun, from Anglo-French dent de lion, literally, lion's tooth

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dandelion

• amphitryon
• hawaiian
• ixion
• orion
• procyon
• visayan
• heian
• ion
• lion
• mayan
• scion

Kids Definition

dandelion

noun

dan·​de·​li·​on ˈdan-də-ˌlī-ən 

: any of a genus of yellow-flowered weedy plants related to the daisies

especially : one with long deeply toothed stemless leaves sometimes grown as a potherb

Etymology

from early French dent de lion "dandelion," literally, "tooth of the lion"; dent derived from Latin dens "tooth" — related to dental

Word Origin

Sometimes plants are named for their resemblance, real or imagined, to animal shapes. The dandelion might not be a plant we would be quick to connect with a lion's teeth. And yet, in early French this common plant with its yellow flowers was called dent de lion, meaning literally "tooth of the lion." The dandelion leaves have deep notches along the edges. These make the leaves appear to have a row of sharp triangular teeth. In time the French name came to be spelled and pronounced as one word when it came into English, giving us dandelion today.

Medical Definition

dandelion

noun

dan·​de·​li·​on ˈdan-dᵊl-ˌī-ən 

: any plant of the genus Taraxacum

especially : an herb (T. officinale) sometimes grown as a potherb and nearly cosmopolitan as a weed