Illustration of milkweed
milkweed
noun
milk·weed
ˈmilk-ˌwēd 
: any of various plants that secrete latex
especially
: any of a genus (Asclepias of the family Apocynaceae, the dogbane family) of erect chiefly perennial herbs with milky juice and umbellate flowers
Examples of milkweed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
How to Care for Milkweed Fortunately, milkweed isn't very high-maintenance and is relatively easy to care for.
—
Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026
Growing the right companion plants near milkweed can entice ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects to visit and feast on aphids.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
The cardenolides found in milkweed are toxic to humans and pets.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 28 May 2026
Between the Pollinator Garden and Butterfly Garden are dense stands of milkweed for the monarch butterflies.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for milkweed
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Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026
Growing the right companion plants near milkweed can entice ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects to visit and feast on aphids.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
The cardenolides found in milkweed are toxic to humans and pets.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 28 May 2026
Between the Pollinator Garden and Butterfly Garden are dense stands of milkweed for the monarch butterflies.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for milkweed
Cite this Entry
“Milkweed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milkweed. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
milkweed
noun
milk·weed
ˈmil-ˌkwēd
: any of various herbs with milky juice and flowers usually in dense clusters
Medical Definition
milkweed
noun
milk·weed
ˈmilk-ˌwēd
: any of various plants that secrete latex
especially
: any plant of the genus Asclepias (family Asclepiadaceae, the milkweed family) including several whose dried roots were formerly used medicinally
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