Illustration of poison ivy
- poison ivy 1a
poison ivy
noun
1
a
: a climbing plant (Toxicodendron radicans synonym Rhus radicans) of the cashew family that is especially common in the eastern and central U.S., that has ternate leaves, greenish flowers, and white berries, and that produces an irritating oil causing a usually intensely itching skin rash
b
: any of several plants closely related to poison ivy
2
: a skin rash caused by poison ivy
Examples of poison ivy in a Sentence
I got poison ivy all over my arm.
Recent Examples on the Web
Members of the Pistacia genus also include cashew nut, mango, sumac, and poison ivy.
—
Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2025
What could possibly go wrong on a hike in this incredibly beautiful paradise free of threats like bears, snakes, or poison ivy?
—Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 3 Mar. 2025
For example, diverse species such as poison ivy, cashews and mangoes all belong to the same extensive family.
—Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Common triggers include poison ivy, metals commonly found in jewelry like nickel, and ingredients in cosmetics or laundry detergent.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poison ivy
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Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2025
What could possibly go wrong on a hike in this incredibly beautiful paradise free of threats like bears, snakes, or poison ivy?
—Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 3 Mar. 2025
For example, diverse species such as poison ivy, cashews and mangoes all belong to the same extensive family.
—Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Common triggers include poison ivy, metals commonly found in jewelry like nickel, and ingredients in cosmetics or laundry detergent.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poison ivy
Cite this Entry
“Poison ivy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poison%20ivy. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
poison ivy
noun
1
a
: a climbing plant of the genus Rhus (R. radicans synonym Toxicodendron radicans) that is especially common in the eastern and central United States, that has leaves in groups of three, greenish flowers, and white berries, and that produces an acutely irritating oil causing a usually intensely itching skin rash
b
: any of several plants closely related to poison ivy
especially
: poison oak sense 1b
2
: a skin rash produced by poison ivy
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