knapweed

American

[nap-weed] / ˈnæpˌwid /

noun

any composite plant of the genus Centaurea, especially the weedy C. nigra, having rose-purple flowers set on a dark-colored, knoblike bract.

knapweed British

/ ˈnæpˌwiːd /

noun

any of several plants of the genus Centaurea, having purplish thistle-like flowers: family Asteraceae (composites) See also centaury hardheads

"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 knapweed

First recorded in 1400–50, knapweed is from the late Middle English word knopwed. See knop, 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.

Certain species such as cow parsley, yarrow and knapweed are in fact spreading, and he welcomes an influx of non-native plants and "garden escapes", such as snowdrop and buddleia.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

As far as I know, farmers are fine with knapweed.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 2, 2022

Clover honey, most packers agree, is dependably tasty with broad appeal, but relatively pedestrian in contrast to the darker, more robust honeys such as gallberry, Chinese tallow, or spotted knapweed.

From Slate • Sep. 10, 2014

Leafy spurge and spotted knapweed outcompete wildlife-friendly plants while offering no nutritional value of their own.

From Time Magazine Archive

She came down and skimmed over the tops of the knapweed and grasses to scare up the prey.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023