snakeroot

noun

snake·​root ˈsnāk-ˌrüt 

-ˌru̇t

: any of various plants (such as seneca snakeroot and Virginia snakeroot) most of which have roots sometimes believed to cure snakebites

also : the root of such a plant

Examples of snakeroot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The plant was Ageratina altissima, or white snakeroot, a small perennial herb native to the eastern half of the United States. —Will McCarthy, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 June 2023

Anna also established a garden of white snakeroot in her yard so local residents could learn to identify it. —Will McCarthy, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 June 2023

Around this time on a recent Thursday, a dozen people clustered on one side of the falls, along two ledges that were blanketed in snakeroot, yellow jewelweed, spotted Joe-Pye weed and pale swallowwort. —Jessica Suarez Oliver Whang, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2022

According to The Drinks Business, the two-year bourbon is also flavored with raspberry, Canadian snakeroot, fir needles, birch bark and maple syrup. —Lisa Gutierrez, kansascity, 15 June 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing snakeroot

• button snakeroot
• seneca snakeroot
• Virginia snakeroot

Kids Definition

snakeroot

noun

snake·​root ˈsnā-ˌkrüt 

-ˌkru̇t

: any of various plants sometimes believed to be a cure for snakebites or illness

also : the root of a snakeroot

Medical Definition

snakeroot

noun

snake·​root -ˌrüt, -ˌru̇t 

: any of numerous plants most of which have roots sometimes believed to cure snakebites

also : the root of such a plant see seneca snakeroot