Illustration of thistle
plural thistles
1
: any of various composite (see composite entry 1 sense 1b) flowering plants (especially genera Carduus, Cirsium, and Onopordum) that have prickles on their leaves and sometimes on their stems and often have showy heads of tubular, usually purple flowers
also
: any of various other prickly plants
2
often thistle seed plural thistle seeds
: the small black seed of a tropical African herbaceous plant (Guizotia abyssinica) used especially as a source of oil and for bird feed
Examples of thistle in a Sentence
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The offset ergonomic handle at the end of a 36-inch shaft offers some leverage on tough invasive weeds, too, like thistle and dandelions.
—
Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2024
Artichoke Hearts Artichokes, which have about 4.9 grams of protein per cup, are members of the thistle family.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024
The popular serum features 22 plant extracts, including turmeric, which reduces visible signs of aging, sea buckthorn, which fights skin-aging free radicals, Mary’s thistle, which provides nourishment, oat, which tightens, and aloe vera, which soothes.
—Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
Scottish Thistle Fire Brazier (Belleville): Fire brazier made to look like the flower of a thistle.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2024
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Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2024
Artichoke Hearts Artichokes, which have about 4.9 grams of protein per cup, are members of the thistle family.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024
The popular serum features 22 plant extracts, including turmeric, which reduces visible signs of aging, sea buckthorn, which fights skin-aging free radicals, Mary’s thistle, which provides nourishment, oat, which tightens, and aloe vera, which soothes.
—Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
Scottish Thistle Fire Brazier (Belleville): Fire brazier made to look like the flower of a thistle.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thistle
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Cite this Entry
“Thistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thistle. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thistle
noun
this·tle
ˈthis-əl 
: any of various prickly plants related to the daisies and having often showy heads of mostly tubular flowers
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