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

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

The idea of using watercress to produce vodka actually came to him over dinner with Joan Rivers in Las Vegas. — Ian Phillips, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026

The watercress and frisée salad topped with Tavern-made maple brown sugar bacon is a must-try. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 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