Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

windlestraw

noun
win·​dle·​straw | \ ˈwin-dᵊl-ˌstrȯ How to pronounce windlestraw (audio) , ˈwi-nᵊl- How to pronounce windlestraw (audio) \

Definition of windlestraw

British
: a dry thin stalk of grass

First Known Use of windlestraw

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for windlestraw

Middle English *windelstraw, from Old English windelstrēaw, from windel- (akin to Middle English windel caulking material) + strēaw straw

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about windlestraw

Dictionary Entries near windlestraw

windlasser

windle

windles

windlestraw

windlin

wind load

wind machine

Statistics for windlestraw

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for windlestraw

The first known use of windlestraw was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

More from Merriam-Webster on windlestraw

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with windlestraw

Comments on windlestraw

What made you want to look up windlestraw? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

contraption

Listen to the pronounciation of contraption

a device or gadget

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a closeup of a sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games