dandelion

noun

dan·​de·​li·​on ˈdan-də-ˌlī-ən How to pronounce dandelion (audio)
-dē-
: any of a genus (Taraxacum) of yellow-flowered composite herbs with milky sap
especially : one (T. officinale) sometimes grown as a potherb and nearly cosmopolitan as a weed

Illustration of dandelion

Illustration of dandelion

Examples of dandelion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Cheese, pine, mushrooms, habanero peppers, tulsi, and dandelion root are among the ingredients incorporated into the bars and bonbons here. Erinne Magee, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2024 Thistle, crown vetch and, to a lesser degree, dandelion and white clover are commonly visited by bees. Christina Grozinger, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for dandelion 

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dendelyoun, from Anglo-French dent de lion, literally, lion's tooth

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dandelion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dandelion

Cite this Entry

“Dandelion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dandelion. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

dandelion

noun
dan·​de·​li·​on ˈdan-də-ˌlī-ən How to pronounce dandelion (audio)
: any of a genus of yellow-flowered weedy plants related to the daisies
especially : one with long deeply toothed stemless leaves sometimes grown as a potherb
Etymology

from early French dent de lion "dandelion," literally, "tooth of the lion"; dent derived from Latin dens "tooth" — related to dental

Word Origin
Sometimes plants are named for their resemblance, real or imagined, to animal shapes. The dandelion might not be a plant we would be quick to connect with a lion's teeth. And yet, in early French this common plant with its yellow flowers was called dent de lion, meaning literally "tooth of the lion." The dandelion leaves have deep notches along the edges. These make the leaves appear to have a row of sharp triangular teeth. In time the French name came to be spelled and pronounced as one word when it came into English, giving us dandelion today.

Medical Definition

dandelion

noun
dan·​de·​li·​on ˈdan-dᵊl-ˌī-ən How to pronounce dandelion (audio)
: any plant of the genus Taraxacum
especially : an herb (T. officinale) sometimes grown as a potherb and nearly cosmopolitan as a weed

More from Merriam-Webster on dandelion

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