knapweed

noun

knap·​weed ˈnap-ˌwēd How to pronounce knapweed (audio)
: any of various weedy centaureas
especially : a widely naturalized European perennial (Centaurea nigra) with tough wiry stems and knobby heads of purple flowers

Examples of knapweed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Pull Your Share movement, started by Great Falls High teacher Dan Wilkins three years ago, encourages people to spend five to 15 minutes on their trips pulling out noxious, nonnative knapweed at campgrounds and other sites. USA TODAY, 14 June 2019 Invasives mainly on roadsides: Cutleaf teasel, wild parsnip,spotted knapweed, phragmites, leafy spurge, Canada thistle and crown vetch. Joanne Kempinger Demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'knapweed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English knopwed, from knop knop + wed weed

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of knapweed was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near knapweed

Cite this Entry

“Knapweed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knapweed. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on knapweed

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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