cress

noun

ˈkres 

: any of various crucifers with moderately pungent leaves used especially in salads: such as

a

: a watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

b

: garden cress

Examples of cress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Sprinter founder tried several other tea time dishes, including a coronation chicken salad sandwich, cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, egg and cress sandwich, two types of scones, coconut cream bundt cake, key lime pie and a macaron. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2024

The Blind Mutant Thale cress — known to science as Arabidopsis thaliana — is not a particularly attractive plant. —Quanta Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024

Arabidopsis, also called thale cress, is a plant widely used in scientific research. —Fox News, 9 Nov. 2023

Researchers rose temperatures from 60 to 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit and used three different types of plants, the thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), vegetable cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and the tomato plant (Solanum lycop). —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 13 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cresse, from Old English cærse, cressa; akin to Old High German kressa cress

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cress

• bitter cress
• garden cress

Kids Definition

cress

noun

ˈkres 

: any of various plants related to the mustards and having leaves that are used especially in salads