water hemlock

noun

: a tall poisonous Eurasian perennial herb (Cicuta virosa) of the carrot family
also : any of several poisonous North American plants (especially Cicuta maculata and C. douglasii) of the same genus compare poison hemlock

Examples of water hemlock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One of the most dangerous plants in Arizona is water hemlock, also known as cowbane. Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 5 June 2024 Last summer, park officials in Dallas responded to toxic water hemlock spotted around White Rock Lake. Noor Adatia, Dallas News, 3 June 2023 Here is a link with pictures of hemlock and the water hemlock for your review. oregonlive, 29 May 2022 Environmental scientists confirmed that poison hemlock and spotted water hemlock were located in Sussex County wetlands, according to a news release from the agency. From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 8 July 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water hemlock was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Water hemlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20hemlock. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

water hemlock

noun
: a tall poisonous Eurasian perennial herb of the genus Cicuta (C. virosa) that is locally abundant in marshy areas or along streams
also : any of several poisonous North American plants of the genus Cicuta (as spotted cowbane)

More from Merriam-Webster on water hemlock

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!