watercress
Americannoun
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a cress, Nasturtium officinale, of the mustard family, usually growing in clear, running streams and having pungent leaves.
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the leaves, used for salads, soups, and as a garnish.
noun
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an Old World plant, Nasturtium officinale , of clear ponds and streams, having pungent leaves that are used in salads and as a garnish: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)
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any of several similar or related plants
Etymology
Origin of watercress
1300–50; Middle English; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German waterkerse. See water, cress
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.
A 17-time world watercress eating champion is preparing to defend his title at an annual event celebrating the leafy green vegetable.
From BBC ● May 17, 2026
The Alresford Watercress Festival in Hampshire marks the start of watercress season in the UK and a highlight of the event is The World Watercress Eating Championships.
From BBC ● May 17, 2026
Per LaMarita, radish greens are best enjoyed raw in salads and mixed with fresh kale, watercress, arugula, parsley or baby greens.
From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2025
Or a simple salad with almonds and watercress or a garlic-strawberry sauce that’s great on pork tenderloins and grilled chicken.
From Salon ● May 23, 2025
Berries and watercress would only go so far, though.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.