-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
milk thistle
noun
: a tall thistle (Silybum marianum) having white-veined dark green leaves and large purple flower heads that is native to the Mediterranean region but has become naturalized elsewhere including the U.S.
also
: an extract of milk thistle and especially its seeds that is held to protect the liver from damage or disease
Examples of milk thistle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Milk Thistle One herb commonly found in supplements for liver health is milk thistle (Silybum marianum).
—Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
The primer features milk thistle extract and glycerin, in addition to pore-blurring polymers, to control oil and blur pores.
—James Manso, WWD, 13 Aug. 2024
Still, more research is needed to confirm if milk thistle affects your liver enough to produce long-term results.
—Devineé Lingo, M.s., Rdn, Health, 9 Sep. 2024
Plus, their milk thistle seed extract is sustainable, created with upcycled by-product of milk thistle oil production.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for milk thistle
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1562, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near milk thistle
Cite this Entry
“Milk thistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milk%20thistle. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
milk thistle
noun
milk this·tle
-ˈthis-əl
1
: a tall thistle (Silybum marianum) that is the source of silymarin, has large clasping white-blotched leaves and large purple flower heads with bristly receptacles, and is native to southern Europe but has been widely introduced elsewhere including the United States
2
: an extract of milk thistle and especially its seeds : silymarin
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share