late blight

noun

: a disease of solanaceous plants (such as the potato and tomato) that is caused by a fungus (Phytophthora infestans) and is characterized by decay of stems, leaves, and in the potato also of tubers

Examples of late blight in a Sentence

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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 New York lab was in the middle of investigating a potential outbreak of late blight, a potato disease, when the lead scientist was fired, said Isako Di Tomassi, a graduate student at Cornell University who worked in the lab. — Emily Anthes, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 Reconstructing historic and modern potato late blight outbreaks using text analytics RHS. — Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of late blight was in 1893

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“Late blight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/late%20blight. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about late blight

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