poison oak
noun
1
: any of several plants related to poison ivy and producing an oil with similar irritating properties: such as
a
: a bushy plant (Toxicodendron diversilobum synonym Rhus diversiloba) of the Pacific coast
b
: a bushy plant (Toxicodendron pubescens synonym Rhus toxicodendron) chiefly of the southeastern U.S.
Examples of poison oak in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Follow the same steps to permanently get rid of poison oak, the counterpart of poison ivy in the western part of the United States.
—
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 June 2025
The group rested at the waterfall, including one hiker who put his hand on some poison oak.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
The cave also isn't a simple walk in a park, as the conservancy also describes potential hazards such as poison oak, falling rocks, and even rattlesnakes and bees.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025
In some cases, your dog won’t react to a plant, but can transfer an allergen to you, like in the case of poison oak and poison ivy.
—Amelia Arvesen, Outside Online, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poison oak
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Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 June 2025
The group rested at the waterfall, including one hiker who put his hand on some poison oak.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
The cave also isn't a simple walk in a park, as the conservancy also describes potential hazards such as poison oak, falling rocks, and even rattlesnakes and bees.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025
In some cases, your dog won’t react to a plant, but can transfer an allergen to you, like in the case of poison oak and poison ivy.
—Amelia Arvesen, Outside Online, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poison oak
Cite this Entry
“Poison oak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poison%20oak. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
poison oak
noun
1
: any of several plants included in the genus Rhus or sometimes in the genus Toxicodendron that produce an irritating oil like that of poison ivy:
a
: a bushy plant (R. diversiloba synonym T. diversilobum) of the Pacific coast
b
: a bushy plant (R. toxicodendron synonym T. pubescens) of the southeastern United States
3
: a skin rash produced by poison oak
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