Russian thistle

noun

: a prickly European saltwort (Kali tragus synonym Salsola kali) that is a serious weed in North America

called also Russian tumbleweed

Examples of Russian thistle 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.
Several other weeds fall under this law, including Canada thistle, Russian thistle, redroot pigweed, common ragweed and others. — Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 19 Dec. 2024 In a matter of days, the baseball field could be covered in an ocean of prickly Russian thistle tumbleweeds. — Emilie Ikeda, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Russian thistle was in 1884

Rhymes for Russian thistle

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Browse Nearby Words

Russian sunflower
Russian thistle
Russian Turkestan
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Cite this Entry

“Russian thistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Russian%20thistle. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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