thistle

noun

this·​tle ˈthi-səl 

plural thistles

1

: any of various composite (see composite entry 1 sense 1b) flowering plants (especially genera Carduus, Cirsium, and Onopordum) that have prickles on their leaves and sometimes on their stems and often have showy heads of tubular, usually purple flowers

also : any of various other prickly plants

2

often thistle seed plural thistle seeds : the small black seed of a tropical African herbaceous plant (Guizotia abyssinica) used especially as a source of oil and for bird feed

thistly

ˈthi-s(ə-)lē 

adjective

Illustration of thistle

Examples of thistle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The sides of Interstate 30 will soon be budding with bluebonnets, daisies and thistles once again. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026

White climbing roses, delphiniums, peonies, silvery thistle, and a canopy of Rosa mulliganii bloom in succession through the months. —Amy Waldman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026

Best known for its brilliant purple flowerhead and prickly parts, native thistle is a major source of food for pollinators. —Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2026

Fill feeders with less desirable seeds such as safflower, millet and thistle. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English thistel, from Old English; akin to Old High German distill thistle

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing thistle

• bull thistle
• Canada thistle
• globe thistle
• milk thistle
• musk thistle
• Russian thistle
• sow thistle
• star thistle
• thistle tube

Rhymes for thistle

• abyssal
• dismissal
• epistle
• bristle
• fissile
• gristle
• missal
• missile
• nissl
• whistle

Kids Definition

thistle

noun

this·​tle ˈthis-əl 

: any of various prickly plants related to the daisies and having often showy heads of mostly tubular flowers

thistly

ˈthis-(ə-)lē 

adjective