mugwort

noun mug·wort \ ˈməg-ˌwərt , -wȯrt \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of mugwort

1 : any of several artemisias; especially : a Eurasian perennial herb (Artemisia vulgaris) that is naturalized in North America and has aromatic leaves used in folk medicine and to flavor beverages

2 : the leaves of a mugwort — compare moxa

Recent Examples of mugwort from the Web

There are sea robins and mugwort. Venomous lionfish.

— ryan knighton, Popular Mechanics, "The Truth Is in the Muck," 6 Oct. 2016
Duck into Olympic Spa — an oxygen room, a mugwort bath — for another reprieve, the warmth from the heated jade floor a slow fuse of comfort.

— amy scattergood, latimes.com, "The bather: A journey by water, with porridge and barley tea, through 9 Koreatown spas," 15 Feb. 2018
So far, Almaguer said her organization has planted about 1,000 local plants, including mugwort, hummingbird sage and soap fruit, to help return essential nutrients to the soil and to encourage pollinators to begin visiting the land.

— dominic fracassa, San Francisco Chronicle, "Urban farm to rise as symbol of social justice in SF’s Excelsior district," 14 Jan. 2018
For two weeks, men carved prayer sticks and bundled bamboo grass or mugwort to burn for purification.

— jude isabella, Smithsonian, "How Japan’s Bear-Worshipping Indigenous Group Fought Its Way to Cultural Relevance," 18 Oct. 2017
Tiny leaves of just-snipped mugwort balance the brooding force of black rice and baby turnips.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
The Deptford pink (Dianthus armeria) is not in the same league as more famous and rapacious invaders like phragmites, mugwort or bittersweet.

— dave taft, New York Times, "Dainty Invader: the Deptford Pink," 26 June 2017
June 25 LEISURE Wild Beers Workshop: Instructor Pascal Baudar will teach the basics of making beer with local plants, such as yarrow and mugwort, and common household utensils.

— maurice alcala, Orange County Register, "Upcoming events at Cal State Fullerton," 14 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mugwort.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mugwort

Middle English, from Old English mucgwyrt, from mucg- (perhaps akin to Old English mycg midge) + wyrt wort

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Learn More about mugwort

See words that rhyme with mugwort Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mugwort

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up mugwort? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

mugwort

Definition of mugwort

Recent Examples of mugwort from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mugwort

Learn More about mugwort

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

garrulous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

A Matter-of-Fact Look at 'Deadpan'

9 Words from the Magical Realm

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Farm Idioms Quiz

True or False?

Syn City

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word

mugwort

Definition of mugwort

Recent Examples of mugwort from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mugwort

Learn More about mugwort

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word