weed

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈwēd

a(1)

: a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth

especially : one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants

(2)

: a weedy growth of plants

: an aquatic plant

especially : seaweed

c(1)

: tobacco products

(2)

: marijuana

: an obnoxious growth, thing, or person

: something like a weed in detrimental quality

especially : an animal unfit to breed from

weed

2 of 3

verb

weeded; weeding; weeds

intransitive verb

: to remove weeds or something harmful

transitive verb

: to clear of weeds

weed a garden

b(1)

: to free from something hurtful or offensive

(2)

: to remove the less desirable portions of

: to get rid of (something harmful or superfluous)

—often used with out

weed

3 of 3

noun (2)

: garment

—often used in plural

: dress worn as a sign of mourning (as by a widow)

—usually used in plural

: a band of crape worn on a man's hat as a sign of mourning

—usually used in plural

Examples of weed in a Sentence

Verb We need to weed the garden. Noun (2) a poor, miserable beggar clad in tattered weeds

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.

Noun

Gilmour has announced no further tour dates, and the thousands of lucky strangers in the arena seemed content simply to smoke their weed, lean back in their seats, and absorb the sound. —

Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024 In her work at the cemetery, which has become overgrown with thorn bushes and weeds, Hanson has reportedly uncovered approximately 100 gravesites. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

So head out into your garden and start raking, pruning, and weeding. —

Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2024 Graham Senior found a sandstone measuring 4 inches long in his garden while weeding in 2020. —

Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for weed

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English wēod weed, herb; akin to Old Saxon wiod weed

Noun (2)

Middle English wede, from Old English wǣd, gewǣde; akin to Old Norse vāth cloth, clothing and perhaps to Lithuanian austi to weave

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of weed was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Weed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weed. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

weed

1 of 2 noun

ˈwēd

: a plant that tends to grow thickly where it is not wanted and to choke out more desirable plants

weed

2 of 2 verb

: to remove weeds from

weed a garden

: to get rid of (something unwanted)

weed out the troublemakers

weeder noun

Last Updated: 13 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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weed

noun (1)

verb

noun (2)

Synonyms

Examples of weed in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near weed

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition