: any of a genus (Arctium) of coarse composite herbs bearing globular flower heads with prickly bracts
Examples of burdock in a Sentence
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My in-room Japanese breakfast was another highlight, with hjiki seaweed and red snow crab, stems of earthy burdock root, crunchy snow pea with yuzu, and buttery, roasted Greenland halibut.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
Toyoda's efforts are worth it: the burdock's delicate texture elevates an izakaya staple to a kaiseki-style delicacy, showcasing its pleasant earthy flavor.
—Akiko Katayama, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The lush formula is incredibly hydrating thanks to burdock oil, which is rich in fatty acids and vitamins.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Along the way, burdock burrs stuck to his pants and to the fur of his dog.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
Toyoda's efforts are worth it: the burdock's delicate texture elevates an izakaya staple to a kaiseki-style delicacy, showcasing its pleasant earthy flavor.
—Akiko Katayama, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The lush formula is incredibly hydrating thanks to burdock oil, which is rich in fatty acids and vitamins.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Along the way, burdock burrs stuck to his pants and to the fur of his dog.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burdock
Cite this Entry
“Burdock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burdock. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
burdock
noun
bur·dock
ˈbər-ˌdäk 
: any of a genus of coarse herbs that are related to the daisies and have globe-shaped flower heads surrounded by prickly bracts
Medical Definition
burdock
noun
bur·dock
ˈbər-ˌdäk
1
: any of a genus (Arctium) of coarse composite herbs bearing globular flower heads with prickly bracts and including one (A. lappa) that has an edible root used as a vegetable and in herbal medicine
2
or burdock root
: the edible root of the burdock (Arctium lappa)
Herbalists use dried burdock as a diuretic and a blood-purifying agent.—Kathryn Shattuck, The New York Times
Kathryn Shattuck, The New York Timescalled also lappa
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