ragweed

[ rag-weed ]
/ ˈrægˌwid /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR ragweed ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any of the composite plants of the genus Ambrosia, the airborne pollen of which is the most prevalent cause of autumnal hay fever, as the common North American species, A. trifida (great ragweed or giant ragweed) and A. artemisiifolia.

Origin of ragweed

1650–60; rag1 + weed1, so called from its ragged appearance

Words nearby ragweed

ragtag, ragtag and bobtail, ragtime, ragtop, ragusa, ragweed, ragwork, ragworm, ragwort, ragù, rah

Words related to ragweed

dander, irritant, pollen, antigen

Example sentences from the Web for ragweed

British Dictionary definitions for ragweed

ragweed
/ (ˈræɡˌwiːd) /

noun

any plant of the chiefly North American genus Ambrosia, such as A. artemisiifolia (common ragweed): family Asteraceae (composites). Their green tassel-like flowers produce large amounts of pollen, which causes hay fever Also called: ambrosia

Medical definitions for ragweed

ragweed
[ răg′wēd′ ]

n.

Any of various weeds of the genus Ambrosia having small greenish unisexual flower heads and producing abundant pollen that is one of the chief causes of hay fever.