poison ivy

American  

noun

1. a vine or shrub, Rhus radicans, having trifoliate leaves and whitish berries and causing severe dermatitis when touched by persons sensitive to it.

2. poison oak.

3. the rash caused by touching poison ivy.

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poison ivy British  

noun

1. any of several North American anacardiaceous shrubs or vines of the genus Rhus (or Toxicodendron ), esp R. radicans, which has small green flowers and whitish berries that cause an itching rash on contact See also sumach

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Etymology

Origin of poison ivy

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

poison ivy

What about snakes and ticks and poison ivy?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025

We covered about 150 miles in all, crossing creeks, dodging rattlesnakes and poison ivy, climbing up and around switchbacks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2024

Natural healers promote oats to help soothe the skin from skin ailments including itchiness, dryness, oiliness, eczema, dermatitis, bug bites, and poison ivy.

From National Geographic ● Feb. 7, 2024

"It was very inflamed, like a poison ivy reaction," Lu said.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2023

“Avery is always fine. Of course, he gets into poison ivy and gets stung by wasps and bees and brings frogs and snakes home and breaks everything he lays his hands on. He’s fine.”

From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White