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

Swamp milkweed can grow 3 to 4 feet tall, so give it a heavy pot that won't easily tip over. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025

Planting a pollinator garden with milkweed (the only plant the butterflies will lay eggs on) and nectar-producing plants (for eating) can provide a hospitable habitat for migrating monarchs. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025

Be wary of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), which is aggressive and can take over small yards, and tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), which hosts parasites that can harm monarch butterflies. —Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025

Herbs are good, if they’re allowed to flower, as are flowers like anise hyssop, purple coneflower and swamp milkweed. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 8 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