cress

American  

[kres] / krɛs /

noun

1. any of various plants of the mustard family, especially the watercress, having pungent-tasting leaves often used for salad and as a garnish.

2. any of various similar plants.

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cress British  

/ krɛs /

noun

1. any of various plants of the genera Lepidium , Cardamine , Arabis , etc, having pungent-tasting leaves often used in salads and as a garnish: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) See also watercress garden cress

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Other Word Forms

• cressy adjective

Etymology

Origin of cress

before 900; Middle English cresse, Old English cress ( a ), cresse; cognate with Dutch kers, German Kresse

Example Sentences

"In the model plant thale cress, we have discovered the signal that activates the female gamete to form a new seed," says Grossniklaus.

From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2024

Many of us germinated cress seeds on a bit of wet tissue at primary school, giving us a first introduction to edible microgreens.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2023

And if you have some spare time, growing your own cress for your egg sandwiches could also be a fun project for the family - as well as cheaper than buying it from the supermarket.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2023

To compare, the researchers also planted thale cress seeds in ash from volcanoes – a sort of fake lunar soil.

From NewsForKids.net • May 24, 2022

Beyond it, between weeds and water, Aunt Maud herself was stretched out in a bed of cress.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck