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

Goldenrods are commonly blamed for fall allergies, though the true culprit is ragweed. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025

Some of the most popular choices include partridge pea, butterfly pea, ragweed, blackberry, pokeweed and American beautyberry, Edge said. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025

Because pollen and ragweed persist far longer into the fall, allergy sufferers are among those most immediately affected. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025

Echinacea, also known as purple coneflower, is a spiky-petaled flowering plant related to daisies and ragweed. —Brandi Jones, Health, 19 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ragweed

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede

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