mistletoe

noun

mis·​tle·​toe ˈmi-səl-ˌtō 

 chiefly British  ˈmi-zəl-

: a European semiparasitic green shrub (Viscum album of the family Santalaceae, the sandalwood family) with thick leaves, small yellowish flowers, and waxy-white glutinous berries

broadly : any of various plants of the sandalwood family (as of an American genus Phoradendron) resembling the true mistletoe

Illustration of mistletoe

Examples of mistletoe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The feature, which includes a Donna Kelce cameo, is a meeting under the mistletoe between the Hallmark crown and the NFL, a new partnership. —Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024

Candy canes, Santa hats, and mistletoe garlands are all great places to start. —Georgia Day, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2024

Chanel High Points Makeup Set $143 Buy Now On Chanel Help your stylish bestie prepare for a smooch under the mistletoe with the Chanel High Points makeup set. —Brittany Leitner, StyleCaster, 4 Dec. 2024

The Mexican restaurant and bar offers Christmas enchiladas and mistletoe martinis to be enjoyed surrounded by colorful Christmas lights and wreaths. —Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mistilto, from Old English misteltān, from mistel mistletoe + tān twig; akin to Old High German & Old Saxon mistil mistletoe and to Old High German zein twig

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mistletoe

noun

mis·​tle·​toe ˈmis-əl-ˌtō 

: a European plant with yellowish flowers and waxy white berries that grows on the branches and trunks of trees

also : any of various related plants that resemble the mistletoe

Medical Definition

mistletoe

noun

mis·​tle·​toe

ˈmis-əl-ˌtō, chiefly British ˈmiz-

: any of various parasitic or semiparasitic plants (family Loranthaceae, the mistletoe family) that have thick leathery mostly opposite and sometimes scaly leaves and include some formerly used in preparations with oxytocic, antispasmodic, or heart-stimulating properties: as

a

: a European semiparasitic green shrub (Viscum album) having somewhat poisonous leaves, stems, and waxy-white glutinous berries that have been used in folk medicine

b

: any of various American plants (genus Phoradendron and especially P. serotinum synonym P. flavescens) resembling the true mistletoe of Europe