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

Antelope horns: hairy stems possess clumps of white flowers which contain milkweed. —David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2025

Zoom in: San Antonio is a key first stop in the monarchs' spring and fall migrations, making milkweed and nectar plants vital for their survival. —Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025

Planting native milkweed and flowers are essential to sustaining the butterflies. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025

For wetter climates, opt for swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). —Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1592, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing milkweed

• milkweed bug
• milkweed butterfly

Rhymes for milkweed

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede

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