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

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

And despite the common misconception, goldenrod is not a source of seasonal allergies (ragweed, which blooms at the same time, is the real culprit). —Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025

Oral Allergy Syndrome Some people with ragweed pollen allergies may experience tingling, itching, or swelling of the lips, tongue, and sore throat shortly after eating bananas. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 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