nightshade

noun

night·​shade ˈnīt-ˌshād How to pronounce nightshade (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Solanum of the family Solanaceae, the nightshade family) of herbs, shrubs, and trees having alternate leaves, cymose flowers, and fruits that are berries and including some poisonous weeds, various ornamentals, and important crop plants (such as the potato and eggplant)
2

Examples of nightshade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Here’s what to know about the role tomatoes might play in managing high blood pressure and how to best reap the nightshade vegetable’s benefits. Rebecca Jaspan, Mph, Health, 2 Jan. 2024 The results provided direct evidence of the consumption of psychoactive compounds produced by a variety of nightshade plants – mandrake, henbane and joint pine, in this case. Gary Laderman, Fortune Well, 17 July 2023 People who are pregnant; have medical conditions; or are sensitive or allergic to spicy foods, peppers, nightshade plants or capsaicin, the compound in chili peppers that is responsible for burning and irritation, should also avoid the chip. Remy Tumin, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023 Then there’s atropine—a muscle relaxant derived from the toxic nightshade and mandrake plants. Amit Katwala, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2023 And ultimately, yams and sweet potatoes are not nightshades. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Oct. 2023 Famously, he's also avoided nightshade vegetables and fruits like strawberries. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2023 Chili peppers are varieties of the berry-fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae. Moiya McTier, Popular Science, 2 Aug. 2023 Moths are especially drawn to plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), said Tim Becker, horticulture director for the Theodore Payne Foundation. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nightshade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nightshade was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near nightshade

Cite this Entry

“Nightshade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nightshade. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nightshade

noun
night·​shade ˈnīt-ˌshād How to pronounce nightshade (audio)
: any of a family of herbs, shrubs, and trees having clusters of usually white, yellow, or purple flowers, and fruits that are berries and including many poisonous forms (as belladonna) and important food plants (as the potato, tomato, and eggplant)

Medical Definition

nightshade

noun
night·​shade ˈnīt-ˌshād How to pronounce nightshade (audio)
1
: any plant of the genus Solanum (family Solanaceae, the nightshade family) which includes some poisonous weeds, various ornamental garden plants, and important crop plants (as the potato and eggplant)
2

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