: a climbing plant (Toxicodendron radicans synonym Rhus radicans) of the cashew family that is especially common in the eastern and central U.S., that has ternate leaves, greenish flowers, and white berries, and that produces an irritating oil causing a usually intensely itching skin rash
b
: any of several plants closely related to poison ivy
2
: a skin rash caused by poison ivy
Illustration of poison ivy
poison ivy 1a
Examples of poison ivy in a Sentence
I got poison ivy all over my arm.
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Even under Joe Biden — who was as green as poison ivy — oil and gas production hit new highs.—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2025 Manjack was slowed with a bad case of poison ivy at the beginning of fall camp, but finally got back into the mix and had his best practice Saturday.—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2025 When the hiker suggested a shortcut through the poison ivy, the others said — SCRATCH THAT!—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025 Overgrown grass, weeds, bushes, vines, poison ivy or other vegetation allowed to grow tall can lead to rodents or give the impression that no one lives there, and attract crime, the town of of West Hartford warned in a notice to residents.—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for poison ivy
: a usually climbing plant that is related to the sumacs, has leaves usually with three leaflets, greenish flowers, white berries, and leaves and stems that when bruised and touched may cause an itching rash on the skin
: a climbing plant of the genus Rhus (R. radicans synonym Toxicodendron radicans) that is especially common in the eastern and central United States, that has leaves in groups of three, greenish flowers, and white berries, and that produces an acutely irritating oil causing a usually intensely itching skin rash
b
: any of several plants closely related to poison ivy
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