milkweed

noun

milk·​weed ˈmilk-ˌwēd 

: any of various plants that secrete latex

especially : any of a genus (Asclepias of the family Apocynaceae, the dogbane family) of erect chiefly perennial herbs with milky juice and umbellate flowers

Illustration of milkweed

Examples of milkweed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In particular, herbicides like Monsanto’s Roundup and the spread of agriculture have reduced populations of milkweed plants, the only food source for monarch caterpillars. —Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024

Tips on milkweed handling, care Since the winter cold is vital for the successful germination of milkweed seeds, environmentamerica.org recommends planting in October or November. —Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 13 Oct. 2024

Climate change exacerbates the threats with rising temperatures disrupting migration patterns and diminishing the availability of milkweed, the monarch caterpillar's essential food source. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Designers also created buffers around streams and ponds to protect water quality, and planted a mix of native flowers and grasses, like milkweed and false sunflower, around tee boxes. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 24 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1592, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing milkweed

• milkweed bug
• milkweed butterfly

Kids Definition

milkweed

noun

milk·​weed ˈmil-ˌkwēd 

: any of various herbs with milky juice and flowers usually in dense clusters

Medical Definition

milkweed

noun

milk·​weed ˈmilk-ˌwēd 

: any of various plants that secrete latex

especially : any plant of the genus Asclepias (family Asclepiadaceae, the milkweed family) including several whose dried roots were formerly used medicinally