: any of various composite (see compositeentry 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
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Like all other non-native thistles, it should be pulled as soon as possible, not only to remove the ouch factor from your yard, but also to prevent the plants from developing a giant root system and spreading by root and seeds.—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2025 The district remains a throwback to the old days, much like the ancient thistle districts and thistle commissioners who were once found across Lake County in an attempt to stomp out the noxious weeds from farmlands and roadside ditches.—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025 The Fiskars Four-Claw Weed Puller Tool is a great option for removing stubborn dandelions and thistle without leaving you with sore knees or an achy back afterwards.—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 May 2025 Feeding the birds: Nyjer seed, also known as thistle seed, is a must for attracting colorful finches.—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thistle
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of thistle was
before the 12th century
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