poison oak

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noun

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

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Also called poison ivy.

Origin of poison oak

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45

Words nearby poison oak

poison gas, poison haw, poison hemlock, poisoning, poison ivy, poison oak, poisonous, poison-pen, poison-pen letter, poison pill, poison sumac

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use poison oak in a sentence

“In 20 years, it’s very likely vegetation that thrives in hot and dry conditions, like poison oak, will see its growing range expand at the expense of plants that have an affinity for wetter, more sheltered site conditions,” Lee said.
What You Missed: See What 100-Mile-Per-Hour Winds Did to Trees in Taos|Fred Dreier|December 17, 2021|Outside Online
Leapolitan responded by saying, “hopefully youll [sic] bite into a poison apple.”
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And some members of the Lizard Squad are now claiming that they were never trying to poison the network.
The Attack on the Hidden Internet|Marc Rogers|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The influence of the oak maturation casks on the final character of The Macallan is vital,” says MacPherson.
How Much Do Whisky Casks Really Affect Taste?||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Spanish oak, which has an open grain and high levels of tannin, gives you dried fruit, spice, and even chocolate flavors.
How Much Do Whisky Casks Really Affect Taste?||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Infernal, it can cause fires and explosions; toxic, it can debilitate, poison, and kill.
The Fiery Underground Oil Pit Eating L.A.|Geoff Manaugh|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The tobacco plant, as is well known, produces a virulent poison known as Nicotine.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
They affirmed it was an antidote to all poison; that it expelled rheums, sour humours, and obstructions of all kinds.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
He lived in a perpetual fear and danger of discovery; and discovery now was but another name, for poison—prison—death.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Isabel sat on the bench under an ancient oak for half an hour or more, but took no note of the time.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
An oak gallery runs round two sides of the hall and descends in broad and gentle stairs down the right side of it.
First Plays|A. A. Milne

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