ragweed

noun

rag·​weed ˈrag-ˌwēd 

: any of various chiefly North American weedy composite herbs (genus Ambrosia) that produce highly allergenic pollen

Illustration of ragweed

Examples of ragweed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once Daily Relief targets itchy eyes and other allergic symptoms caused by grass, pollen, ragweed, and animals, like Bausch + Lomb Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops. —Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2023

After entering the start and end destination, the tool populates the lowest pollution route based on the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and levels of common pollens, such as ash, grass and ragweed. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2023

As most people know, the late summer instigator of late-season allergic rhinitis is ragweed (Ambrosia artimisiifolia), with its bloom time that overlaps with many goldenrods but does so fully camouflaged in green flowers. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 Sep. 2023

Grass, ragweed, and tree pollens are typically elevated during cooler nights.11 Time of Day That Allergies Peak A person may have more issues with allergy symptoms during certain parts of the day, depending on their allergy type. —Sarah Klein, Health, 31 Aug. 2023

The giant ragweed makes dark corridors down to the stream, and the pipevine smothers the leaning pergola of shrubs and trees beneath. —Bill Finch, al, 6 Aug. 2023

For example, a child with ragweed allergies will experience sneezing, sniffling, and itchy eyes each fall. —Nicole Harris, Parents, 10 Sep. 2023

Children who had animals had fewer positive skin tests to indoor allergens—like pet and dust-mite allergens—and also to outdoor allergens such as ragweed and grass. —Bill Strickland, Parents, 9 Aug. 2023

Pollen, ragweed, or other triggers stimulate immune cells that produce histamine. —Robert H. Shmerling, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ragweed

noun

rag·​weed ˈrag-ˌwēd 

: any of various chiefly North American weedy herbs related to the daisies and producing pollen irritating to the eyes and noses of some persons

Medical Definition

ragweed

noun

rag·​weed ˈrag-ˌwēd 

: any of various chiefly North American weedy herbaceous plants comprising the genus Ambrosia and producing highly allergenic pollen responsible for much hay fever and asthma: as

a

: an annual weed (A. artemisiifolia) with finely divided foliage that is common on open or cultivated ground in much of North America

b

: a coarse annual (A. trifida) with some or all of the leaves usually deeply and palmately 3-cleft or 5-cleft

called also great ragweed