nightshade

noun

night·​shade ˈnīt-ˌshād 

1

: any of a genus (Solanum of the family Solanaceae, the nightshade family) of herbs, shrubs, and trees having alternate leaves, cymose flowers, and fruits that are berries and including some poisonous weeds, various ornamentals, and important crop plants (such as the potato and eggplant)

2

: belladonna sense 1

Examples of nightshade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, set up garden beds in pairs, planting all nightshades in one of the beds the first year. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025

These fruits are among a group of plants known as nightshades, which also includes eggplant, potatoes, and peppers. —Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 30 Mar. 2025

To improve food security, researchers are currently mapping out the genomes of 22 crops in the nightshade genus, which includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2025

The fruit of the forest nightshade isn’t edible, but the team suspected that its food crop relatives might have similar genes at work. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nightshade

• deadly nightshade

Rhymes for nightshade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

nightshade

noun

night·​shade ˈnīt-ˌshād 

: any of a family of herbs, shrubs, and trees having clusters of usually white, yellow, or purple flowers, and fruits that are berries and including many poisonous forms (as belladonna) and important food plants (as the potato, tomato, and eggplant)

Medical Definition

nightshade

noun

night·​shade ˈnīt-ˌshād 

1

: any plant of the genus Solanum (family Solanaceae, the nightshade family) which includes some poisonous weeds, various ornamental garden plants, and important crop plants (as the potato and eggplant)

2

: belladonna sense 1