speedwell

noun

speed·​well ˈspēd-ˌwel How to pronounce speedwell (audio)
: a perennial European herb (Veronica officinalis) of the snapdragon family that is naturalized in North America and has small bluish flowers in axillary racemes
broadly : veronica

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web This link from University of California gives more information about Persian speedwell. OregonLive.com, 6 Apr. 2018 Another weed with blue flowers sometimes confused with henbit is Persian speedwell (Veronica persica). Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Indianapolis Star, 9 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'speedwell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of speedwell was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near speedwell

Cite this Entry

“Speedwell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speedwell. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

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