burdock

noun

bur·​dock ˈbər-ˌdäk 

: any of a genus (Arctium) of coarse composite herbs bearing globular flower heads with prickly bracts

Examples of burdock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And during afternoon tea in the lobby, Tochigi Prefecture's finest produce gets the spotlight: Nakagawa eel braised in red wine perched atop burdock tartlets, and meticulously layered chestnut parfait. —Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025

Key Ingredients: Biotin, bamboo, burdock Best For: Nourishing gray strands that need a little extra TLC. —Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025

Its formula is heavy on burdock root, an anti-inflammatory plant material that’s thought to help with sebhorric dermatitis, a skin condition that causes dandruff. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 19 Feb. 2025

Rutabaga, burdock root, kohlrabii, fennel, yes, even eggplant and celery. —Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

burdock

noun

bur·​dock ˈbər-ˌdäk 

: any of a genus of coarse herbs that are related to the daisies and have globe-shaped flower heads surrounded by prickly bracts

Medical Definition

burdock

noun

bur·​dock ˈbər-ˌdäk 

1

: any of a genus (Arctium) of coarse composite herbs bearing globular flower heads with prickly bracts and including one (A. lappa) that has an edible root used as a vegetable and in herbal medicine

2

or burdock root : the edible root of the burdock (Arctium lappa)

Herbalists use dried burdock as a diuretic and a blood-purifying agent.

—Kathryn Shattuck, The New York Times

called also lappa