lungwort

noun

: any of several plants (such as a mullein) formerly used in the treatment of respiratory disorders
especially : a European herb (Pulmonaria officinalis) of the borage family with hispid leaves and usually bluish flowers

Examples of lungwort in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The lungwort variety produces blue or purple flowers and stunning foliage with an itchy surface that repels deer. Robert Knox, BostonGlobe.com, 25 May 2023 Palmer mentioned a lungwort (Pulmonaria) known as Lisa Marie with mammoth 18-inch-long speckled leaves in broad clumps topped by an abundance of flowers. Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2023 Among the plants to consider are ferns, Solomon’s seal, bleeding heart, lungwort, Virginia bluebells, hostas, hellebores, bishop’s hat, St. John’s wort, fragrant sumac and bottlebrush buckeye. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2022 Many shade-garden perennials also work well, such as hostas, brunnera, ferns, columbine, and lungwort. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2022 There are a lot of ferns, mayapples, monks hood, goats beard, gooseneck loosestrife, iris of all kinds, daylilies, tiger lilies, spiderwort, lungwort and lamb's ear. Joanne Kempinger Demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2020 Hostas and ferns are popular choices, along with lungwort (Pulmonaria), Siberian bugloss (Brunnera), Canadian wild ginger (Asarum canadense), sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) and bishop’s hat (Epimedium). Beth Botts, chicagotribune.com, 28 Aug. 2019 Try ferns, European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum), sedges (Carex spp.), lavender, lamiums (Lamium maculatum), sedums, and lungworts (Pulmonaria spp.). The Editors, Good Housekeeping, 13 Aug. 2018

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

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lungwort was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near lungwort

Cite this Entry

“Lungwort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lungwort. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

lungwort

noun
lung·​wort -ˌwərt How to pronounce lungwort (audio) -ˌwȯ(ə)rt How to pronounce lungwort (audio)
1
: any of several plants formerly used in the treatment of respiratory disorders
especially : a European herb (Pulmonaria officinalis) of the borage family (Boraginaceae) with rough hairy leaves and bluish flowers
2
: a widely distributed lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria) formerly used in the treatment of bronchitis and now to some extent in perfumes and in tanning extracts

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