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

Prepare the Salad: Toss bibb lettuce, water cress, and parsley leaves in a large bowl until evenly combined. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025

This formula boasts the brand’s TFC8 technology with maca root, hazel leaf, watercress, and Indian cress—blended into one revitalizing cocktail that optimizes the scalp’s cellular environment. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Aug. 2025

Pink clay and charcoal do the heavy lifting by absorbing impurities and odors, while Indian cress stem extract and sea buckthorn deliver antioxidants and vitamins to mitigate scalp irritation. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 21 Aug. 2025

Consider including plants like moss phlox, creeping thyme, or rock cress. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for cress

• bless
• chess
• dress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse
• mess

Kids Definition

cress

noun

ˈkres 

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