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

In addition to vitamin B7 (biotin), the supplements include marine collagen peptides to help strengthen and hydrate, adaptogenic ashwagandha to calm stress hormones’ effects on hair growth, and saw palmetto, which combats thinning by reducing the hair-thinning hormone DHT. —Emily Orofino, Vogue, 29 June 2025

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, 26 May 2025

Meanwhile, saw palmetto extract helps to kick-start hair growth. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025

Best suited for fine to medium hair, the volume-imparting shampoo also contains saw palmetto extract and Oribe’s signature blend. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

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