wort

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈwərt  ˈwȯrt 

: plant

especially : an herbaceous plant

—usually used in combination

lousewort

wort

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a sweet liquid drained from mash and fermented to make beer and whiskey

Examples of wort in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Those supplements were: St. John’s Wort St. John’s wort is an invasive, wild, flowering plant. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 28 July 2025

St John's wort and saffron had the strongest positive outcomes, with studies showing these two distinct supplements worked, compared to a placebo, and were on par with existing prescription antidepressants. —New Atlas, 14 July 2025

The current review found a total of 37 trials on St. John’s wort, with more showing effects against placebo than no effects, with similar or better results than antidepressants, Frost says. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 28 July 2025

These include vitamin E, St. John's wort, and ginseng. —Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English wyrt root, herb, plant — more at root

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English wyrt; akin to Middle High German würze brewer's wort, Old English wyrt root, herb

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wort

• Saint John's wort
• St. John's wort

Kids Definition

wort

noun

ˈwərt,

ˈwȯ(ə)rt

: a sweet liquid that is drained from mash made from crushed malt or grain meal and that is fermented to make beer and whiskey