chickweed

noun

chick·​weed ˈchik-ˌwēd 

: any of various low-growing small-leaved weedy plants of the pink family (especially genera Cerastium and Stellaria)

especially : a cosmopolitan weed (Stellaria media) naturalized in the U.S. from Eurasia

Illustration of chickweed

Examples of chickweed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the fall, apply pre-emergent to control winter weeds like chickweed, annual bluegrass, and henbit. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026

Weeds such as bedstraw, thistle, rescue grass, henbit, chickweed, and annual bluegrass are everywhere. —Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Apr. 2026

Several chickweed species grow in Maryland, but those found in a lawn or garden bed are usually non-native. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2026

It has long been used as feed for chickens and poultry and salves derived from chickweed are recommended to reduce inflammation, especially in the case of bug bites and burns. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chickweed

• mouse-ear chickweed

Rhymes for chickweed

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede
• indeed

Kids Definition

chickweed

noun

chick·​weed ˈchik-ˌwēd 

: any of several low-growing small-leaved weedy plants related to the pinks