horsetail

noun

horse·​tail ˈhȯrs-ˌtāl 

: any of a genus (Equisetum of the order Equisetales) of lower tracheophytes comprising perennial, spore-producing plants that spread by creeping rhizomes and have leaves reduced to nodal sheaths on the hollow jointed ribbed shoots

Illustration of horsetail

• 1 vegetative plant
• 2 fertile plant

Examples of horsetail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Apple cider vinegar can also interact with certain dietary supplements, such as licorice, cassia cinnamon, and horsetail. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025

Made from natural ingredients like rosemary oil, peppermint oil, yucca leaf extra and horsetail leaf extract, the cleanser soothes the scalp and reduces inflammation. —Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Taking horsetail and apple cider vinegar may increase your risk for hypokalemia. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 6 Jan. 2025

Horsetail Plant Extract As a nutraceutical (a plant product with medicinal benefits), horsetail may potentially benefit hair loss in people undergoing breast cancer treatment.15 Horsetail is also an ingredient in a hair-growth supplement called Viviscal. —Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horsetail

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale

Kids Definition

horsetail

noun

horse·​tail ˈhȯr-ˌstāl 

: any of a genus of primitive plants that reproduce by spores instead of by flowers and seeds and have hollow stems and very small leaves resembling scales

called also equisetum, scouring rush