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.
Or the gallant, pragmatic 8-year-old street hawker selling watercress in Victorian London: “All my money I earns I puts in a club and draws it out to buy clothes with.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
You can also add depth and variety to your soup by adding any salad greens, like arugula, spinach, kale, or watercress.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026
It has since been named the UK's capital of watercress farming.
From BBC ● May 17, 2026
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
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
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