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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.

See Examples For:

Jon Darby has now been teaching foraging at Horn Farm for 15 years, leading monthly two-hour foraging walks that emphasize ethical foraging of seasonally available staples, like chickweed and rose hips.

From Salon ● May 30, 2024

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

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

Common chickweed can transmit viral diseases that damage beets, cucumbers, peas, tomatoes and turnips.

From New York Times ● May 8, 2020

But I’ll come back to you, my chickweed.

From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia

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