dandelion

noun

dan·​de·​li·​on ˈdan-də-ˌlī-ən 

-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

Examples of dandelion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s where certain foods and plants like cloudberries and Arctic dandelions are native to the cooler climes of the region, but not as commonly found in Norwegian cooking elsewhere around the country, Buljo said. —Nicole Edenedo, AFAR Media, 1 July 2025

New styles and designs of gutter guards — also known as leaf guards or gutter covers — were popping up as fast as dandelions in my lawn. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025

The patches are designed with ingredients such as raspberry leaf, dandelion root, and cramp bark to provide a soothing sensation and can last (aka, stay hot) for up to eight hours of use—no microwave necessary. —Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025

Use Mulch Wind carries dandelion and other lightweight weed seeds into garden beds. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2025

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

Rhymes for dandelion

• amphitryon
• hawaiian
• ixion
• orion
• procyon
• visayan
• heian
• ion
• lion
• mayan
• scion

Kids Definition

dandelion

noun

dan·​de·​li·​on ˈdan-də-ˌlī-ən 

: 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 

: any plant of the genus Taraxacum

especially : an herb (T. officinale) sometimes grown as a potherb and nearly cosmopolitan as a weed