Illustration of milkweed
milkweed
noun
milk·weed
ˈmilk-ˌwēd 
: any of various plants that secrete latex
especially
: any of a genus (Asclepias of the family Apocynaceae, the dogbane family) of erect chiefly perennial herbs with milky juice and umbellate flowers
Examples of milkweed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many nectar candidates popular with pollinators fall into the aster (Asteraceae) and mint (Lamiaceae) plant families, along with milkweeds and verbena relatives.
—
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025
The big picture: Everyday gardeners can start helping monarchs now by planting a pollinator garden with milkweed (the only plant the butterflies will lay eggs on) and nectar-producing plants (for eating) that can provide a hospitable habitat for migrating monarchs.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025
While certain native grasses and plants like milkweed are a natural source of nesting material, grant stresses that creating a bird-friendly yard goes beyond offering nesting materials.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2025
Antelope horns: hairy stems possess clumps of white flowers which contain milkweed.
—David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2025
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Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025
The big picture: Everyday gardeners can start helping monarchs now by planting a pollinator garden with milkweed (the only plant the butterflies will lay eggs on) and nectar-producing plants (for eating) that can provide a hospitable habitat for migrating monarchs.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025
While certain native grasses and plants like milkweed are a natural source of nesting material, grant stresses that creating a bird-friendly yard goes beyond offering nesting materials.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2025
Antelope horns: hairy stems possess clumps of white flowers which contain milkweed.
—David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for milkweed
Cite this Entry
“Milkweed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milkweed. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
milkweed
noun
milk·weed
ˈmil-ˌkwēd
: any of various herbs with milky juice and flowers usually in dense clusters
Medical Definition
milkweed
noun
milk·weed
ˈmilk-ˌwēd
: any of various plants that secrete latex
especially
: any plant of the genus Asclepias (family Asclepiadaceae, the milkweed family) including several whose dried roots were formerly used medicinally
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