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

Tropical milkweed is not necessarily detrimental to monarch populations, and further research needs to be conducted to understand the finer effects of tropical milkweed on migratory monarchs, the researchers said. —Calista Oetama, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025

This decline is attributed to several factors, including habitat loss and a reduction in essential forage, such as milkweed. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 25 Mar. 2025

Droughts, frost and heat across the continent are killing milkweed, the monarchs’ food source, and destroying their habitat. —Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024

Native milkweed and Joe Pye weed are beneficial plants; their names are just misnomer. —Dee Dee Kerscher, Oc Register, 20 June 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