saw palmetto

noun

1

: any of several shrubby palms chiefly of the southern U.S. and West Indies that have spiny-toothed petioles

especially : a common palm (Serenoa repens) of the southeastern U.S. with a usually creeping stem

2

: a preparation derived from the berrylike fruit of a saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) that is held to have a therapeutic effect on the prostate gland and is used in dietary supplements and herbal remedies

Examples of saw palmetto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 17-mile-long strip of land remains largely in its natural state, populated by dense maritime forest of live oaks, saw palmetto, sabal palms, and pines. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 June 2026

In addition to the Liposomal Encapsulated Caffeine + Biotin, this shampoo also features a blend of potent botanicals through advanced CO2 extraction such as green tea, rosemary, pumpkin seed, and saw palmetto to support fuller-looking hair. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 18 June 2026

The formula uses ingredients like saw palmetto and rosemary extract to support growth and fullness. — Rachel Nussbaum, InStyle, 13 June 2026

Ingredients like biotin and saw palmetto extract help reduce excess oil, calm inflammation, and support healthier growth cycles. — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for saw palmetto

• allegretto
• lazaretto
• ghetto
• seto
• hereto
• libretto
• magneto
• stiletto
• whereto

Medical Definition

saw palmetto

noun

saw pal·​met·​to -pal-ˈmet-(ˌ)ō 

1

: any of several shrubby palms chiefly of the southern United States and West Indies with spiny-toothed leafstalks

especially : a common palm (Serenoa repens) of the southeastern United States with a usually creeping stem

2

: a preparation derived from the berrylike fruit of a saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) that is held to have a therapeutic effect on the prostate gland and is used in herbal remedies and dietary supplements

called also sabal