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

Illustration of milkweed

Examples of milkweed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Monarchs can sniff out a milkweed plant from a football field away. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025

In spring and summer, common milkweed plants burst with beautiful pink flowers. —Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

Use these expert tips on growing milkweed from seed to get started. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2025

Mounting threats Monarchs across the continent face mounting threats, chief among them vanishing milkweed, the host plant for the insect's caterpillars. —CBS News, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1592, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing milkweed

• milkweed bug
• milkweed butterfly

Rhymes for milkweed

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede

Kids 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