chickweed

[ chik-weed ]

/ ˈtʃɪkˌwid /

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noun

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.

any of various allied plants.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of chickweed

First recorded in 1325–75, chickweed is from Middle English chiken wede. See chick, weed¹

Words nearby chickweed

chicken wire, chicken with its head cut off, chick flick, chick lit, chickpea, chickweed, chickweed wintergreen, Chiclayo, chicle, Chiclets, chico

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use chickweed in a sentence

Winter weeds, such as chickweed, are deeply entrenched and spreading.
Climate change has altered the winter season and the gardener’s sense of it|Adrian Higgins|January 6, 2021|Washington Post
He was smoking his pipe here late at night, when all of a sudden Chickweed roars outHere he is!
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
Jem Spyers dashes out; and there he sees Chickweed tearing down the street full-cry.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
The spade or plow that turns these under is sure to turn up some other variety, as chickweed, sheep-sorrel, or goose-foot.
A Year in the Fields|John Burroughs

He gathered chickweed and flowers to place in its cage, and gave it water and some crumbs and seeds.
Little Henry and His Bird|Anonymous
It feeds on dock, chickweed, groundsel, and other low plants.
The Moths of the British Isles, First Series|Richard South

British Dictionary definitions for chickweed

chickweed

/ (ˈtʃɪkˌwiːd) /

noun

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

mouse-ear chickweed 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