pigweed

[ pig-weed ]

noun

1. any goosefoot of the genus Chenopodium, especially C. album.
2. any of certain amaranths, as Amaranthus retroflexus.

pigweed

/ ˈpɪɡˌwiːd /

noun

1. Also calledredroot any of several coarse North American amaranthaceous weeds of the genus Amaranthus, esp A. retroflexus, having hairy leaves and green flowers
2. a US name for fat hen

Word History and Origins

Origin of pigweed¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; pig ¹ + weed ¹

Example Sentences

The grass waved to their stirrups, and the pigweed stood rank up to the very door.

From Project Gutenberg

Pigweed: Portulaca, or the native purslane, a creeping annual of a reddish-green colour and an excellent vegetable.

From Project Gutenberg

First, I picked the pigweed and tansy, or how could she have made the cheese?

From Project Gutenberg

A good pigweed is much more satisfactory than a poor rosebush.

From Project Gutenberg

Barnyard grass (Panicum crusgalli) behaved like pigweed, and 'needed considerable attention.'

From Project Gutenberg