woad

noun

ˈwōd How to pronounce woad (audio)
: a European herb (Isatis tinctoria) of the mustard family formerly grown for the blue dyestuff yielded by its leaves
also : this dyestuff

Examples of woad in a Sentence

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.
The dye analysis confirmed that indigo or woad in the green fabric were both used. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2023 The use of indigo or woad in the green color and the lack of any synthetic dye indicated it was made before the 1750s, the museum said in a statement. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 28 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wod, from Old English wād; akin to Old High German weit woad, Latin vitrum

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of woad was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Woad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woad. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about woad

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