poison oak

noun

either of two shrubs, Rhus toxicodendron, of the eastern U.S., or R. diversiloba, of the Pacific coast of North America, resembling poison ivy and causing severe dermatitis when touched by persons sensitive to them.

Words nearby poison oak

poison dogwood, poison gas, poison haw, poison hemlock, poison ivy, poison oak, poison pill, poison sumac, poison sumach, poison-arrow frog, poison-pen

Origin of poison oak

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45

Also called poison ivy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for poison oak

Put the affair of the poison-oak into their hands, and they would lasso every one concerned, with yards of red tape!
The Port of Adventure|Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson
Just because we use a poison-oak leaf for our brand—why, that's what got 'em to callin' us the Poison Oakers.
The Heritage of the Hills|Arthur P. Hankins
It is our holly, as the Ceanothus is our lilac, and the poison-oak is our autumn-red sumac.
Insect Stories|Vernon L. Kellogg
The further he goes the worse the jungle of poison-oak and ivy, which at last circles him round in strangling embrace.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 7|Elbert Hubbard

Here climbed in tantalizing beauty—tempting as insidious vice, which attracts but to destroy—the poison-oak vine.
Memories|Fannie A. (Mrs.) Beers

British Dictionary definitions for poison oak

poison oak

noun

either of two North American anacardiaceous shrubs, Rhus toxicodendron or R. diversiloba, that are related to the poison ivy and cause a similar rashSee also sumach (def. 1)

(not in technical use) another name for poison ivy

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

Medical definitions for poison oak

poison oak

n.

Either of two shrubs, Rhus toxicodendron of the southeast United States or R. diversiloba of western North America, related to poison ivy and causing a rash on contact.

poison ivy