ragweed

[ rag-weed ]

noun

1. any of the composite plants of the genus Ambrosia, the airborne pollen of which is the most prevalent cause of autumnal hay fever, as the common North American species, A. trifida great ragweed, or giant ragweed and A. artemisiifolia.

ragweed

/ ˈræɡˌwiːd /

noun

1. any plant of the chiefly North American genus Ambrosia , such as A. artemisiifolia ( common ragweed ): family Asteraceae (composites). Their green tassel-like flowers produce large amounts of pollen, which causes hay fever Also calledambrosia

Word History and Origins

Origin of ragweed¹

First recorded in 1650–60; rag ¹ + weed ¹, so called from its ragged appearance

Example Sentences

North America experiences tree pollen in the springtime, grass pollen in the summer and weed pollen, primarily ragweed, in the fall.

From Washington Post

The first half of September typically features the peak of ragweed pollen, if you’re sniffling these days.

From Washington Post

Of our ragweed not much can be set down that is complimentary, except that its name in the botany is Ambrosia, food of the gods.

From Project Gutenberg

Golden ragweed blazed in all the fields, and the swallows began to assemble for their journey south.

From Project Gutenberg

"Like a ragweed," she laughed, taking him into the kitchen, where she brought him a chair from the sitting-room.

From Project Gutenberg

It is bounded on the north by goldenrod, on the south by ragweed, on the east by asthma and the pollen of anemophylous plants.

From Project Gutenberg

Every year thousands of ragweed and groundsel seeds must be blown on to the shale-heap, but they never manage to grow there.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• antigen
• dander
• irritant
• pollen