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

Endangered western monarch butterflies depend on pesticide-free milkweed for food. — Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

In this deep perennial border, Jordin layered tough perennials that deliver a profusion of color in the height of summer, including catmint, ‘Millenium’ allium, ‘Cinderella’ milkweed, and clary sage. — Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2026

Davies recommends pairing milkweed with similarly vigorous meadow plants. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026

Julie, who owns the nursery, is delightful and has a wide variety of milkweed. — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

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