echinacea

noun

ech·​i·​na·​cea ˌe-ki-ˈnā-sē-ə How to pronounce echinacea (audio) -sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce echinacea (audio)
: the dried rhizome, roots, or other parts of any of three purple coneflowers that are used primarily in dietary supplements and herbal remedies for the stimulating effect they are held to have on the immune system
also : any of these herbs

Examples of echinacea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bull Dog makes an age defense face moisturizer that contains rosemary, echinacea and vitamin E to help your skin stay smooth and soft. Christopher Murray, Fox News, 31 Oct. 2024 There is scientific evidence that supports some helpful effects from taking echinacea and turmeric, and they have been used throughout history. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 31 Oct. 2024 Some people believe that natural remedies, such as echinacea, vitamin C, probiotics, elderberry, ginseng, and zinc, may help to prevent or treat viral illnesses like colds and flu. Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 25 Oct. 2024 Complementing the lavender is an array of medicinal and aromatic herbs that include chamomile, echinacea, sage and wormwood. Leslie Katz, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for echinacea 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Echinacea, the purple coneflower genus, from Greek echînos "hedgehog, sea urchin" + Latin -ācea, feminine of -āceus -aceous; so named from the prickly appearance of the disk florets — more at echinus

Note: The genus name was introduced by the German botanist Conrad Moench (1744-1805) in Methodus plantas horti botanici et agri Marburgensis : a staminum situ describendi (Marburg: 1794), p. 591, as a revision of Linnaeus' Rudbeckia purpurea.

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of echinacea was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near echinacea

Cite this Entry

“Echinacea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/echinacea. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

echinacea

noun
ech·​i·​na·​cea ˌek-i-ˈnā-sē-ə, -sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce echinacea (audio)
: the dried rhizome, roots, or other part of any of three composite herbs (Echinacea angustifolia, E. pallida, and E. purpurea) that were formerly listed in the United States Pharmacopeia, that are now used primarily in dietary supplements and herbal remedies, and that are held to stimulate the immune system
also : any of these herbs see purple coneflower
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!