watercress
Americannoun
-
a cress, Nasturtium officinale, of the mustard family, usually growing in clear, running streams and having pungent leaves.
-
the leaves, used for salads, soups, and as a garnish.
noun
-
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)
-
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
Alresford became the centre of the watercress industry in 1865, when the rail line to the Georgian town opened, enabling farmers to get their leaves to market in Covent Garden.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
It’s also great in soups, like a watercress and potato vichyssoise.
From Salon • May 14, 2025
Garnish with a sprig or two of watercress or arugula.
From Salon • Jan. 16, 2025
Garlic and chicken and watercress, the same soup that Cook had made the day the queen died.
From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo
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.
