sundew

noun

sun·​dew ˈsən-(ˌ)dü How to pronounce sundew (audio)
-(ˌ)dyü
: any of a genus (Drosera of the family Droseraceae, the sundew family) of bog-inhabiting insectivorous herbs having leaves covered with gland-tipped adhesive hairs

Examples of sundew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Among the most diverse are the sundews, known to experts as Droseraceae. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025 The peat is fed by a decaying layer of sphagnum moss, sundew, and butterwort, which deepens a millimeter a year. Aaron Hicklin, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2024 The poems range from kayak-level considerations of ocean life to close looks at a wetland sundew to views of the moon, comets, and the cosmos. Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Aug. 2022 The Cape sundew, as it’s often called, tolerates temperatures down to freezing and into the high 90s with ease, and with proper care, will reward you with stalks of purple flowers. Sunset Magazine, 16 Oct. 2020 See All Example Sentences for sundew

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sundew was in 1578

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Cite this Entry

“Sundew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sundew. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

sundew

noun
sun·​dew ˈsən-d(y)ü How to pronounce sundew (audio)
: any of a genus of wetland herbs that trap and digest insects with the sticky hairlike glands on their leaves

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