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chickweed

American  
[chik-weed] / ˈtʃɪkˌwid /

noun

  1. any plant of the genus Stellaria, of the pink family, as S. media, a common Old World weed whose leaves and seeds are relished by birds.

  2. any of various allied plants.


chickweed British  
/ ˈtʃɪkˌwiːd /

noun

  1. any of various caryophyllaceous plants of the genus Stellaria, esp S. media, a common garden weed with small white flowers

  2. any of various similar and related plants of the genus Cerastium

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of chickweed

First recorded in 1325–75, chickweed is from Middle English chiken wede. See chick, weed 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even more surprising, two temperate plant species from the Northern Hemisphere, annual meadow grass and mouse-ear chickweed, colonised sites faster than any other species.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2024

Another spring favorite, chickweed is a quick-growing weed with small oval leaves and white star-shaped flowers.

From Salon • Aug. 23, 2021

Forget the impending dandelions and violets; I’m talking about established winter weeds, whose roots now go deep — interlopers like henbit, chickweed, bittercress and ground ivy.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2021

A dollop of yogurt tempers the heat; a garnish of chickweed, its flavor akin to corn silk, adds summery freshness.

From Washington Post • May 26, 2015

I want to be as easy to pull out as a single piece of chickweed.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

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