watercress

noun

wa·​ter·​cress ˈwȯ-tər-ˌkres 

ˈwä-

1

: any of several aquatic or semiaquatic cresses

especially : a perennial cress (Nasturtium officinale) native to Europe and southwestern Asia that is naturalized in the U.S. and has leaves used especially in salads or as a potherb

2

: the leaves of a watercress

Examples of watercress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While some students juice lemons, others chop yucca, carrots, plantains and watercress. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Plant watercress when the soil is between 50 and 60°F, and keep it consistently moist for the first week or two (or start germinating the seeds indoors). — The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026

Maybe next week, the boys could wade into the river near Mancelona and collect bushels of watercress, which carpeted the surface there. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

But Martha often uses salad leaves with a little natural bitterness or peppery edge, such as radicchio, watercress, or arugula, to cut through rich or creamy fillings and help balance the sandwich. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for watercress

• abs
• acquiesce
• authoress
• bodiless
• coalesce
• decompress
• dispossess
• faithfulness
• letterpress
• mayoress
• murderess
• nonetheless

Kids Definition

watercress

noun

wa·​ter·​cress -ˌkres 

: a plant that is related to the mustards and the cabbage, grows especially in clear running water, and has crisp peppery-tasting leaves used especially in salads

also : the leaves of a watercress