chickweed

[ chik-weed ]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Stellaria, of the pink family, as S. media, a common Old World weed whose leaves and seeds are relished by birds.
2. any of various allied plants.

chickweed

/ ˈtʃɪkˌwiːd /

noun

1. any of various caryophyllaceous plants of the genus Stellaria, esp S. media, a common garden weed with small white flowers
2. mouse-ear chickweed
   any of various similar and related plants of the genus Cerastium

Word History and Origins

Origin of chickweed¹

First recorded in 1325–75, chickweed is from Middle English chiken wede. See chick, weed ¹

Example Sentences

Jon Darby has now been teaching foraging at Horn Farm for 15 years, leading monthly two-hour foraging walks that emphasize ethical foraging of seasonally available staples, like chickweed and rose hips.

From Salon

Even more surprising, two temperate plant species from the Northern Hemisphere, annual meadow grass and mouse-ear chickweed, colonised sites faster than any other species.

From Science Daily

As we walked, he told me about the rewards of experimenting with spruce tips in the kitchen, and the abundant chickweed — whose name is tragic to him.

From Washington Post

Garlic mustard and chickweed at the start of spring, elderflower and nettle in the season; serviceberries, mulberries and mugwort in summer; and pawpaws, persimmons and crab apples in fall.

From Washington Post

Another spring favorite, chickweed is a quick-growing weed with small oval leaves and white star-shaped flowers.

From Salon