broomrape

noun

broom·​rape ˈbrüm-ˌrāp How to pronounce broomrape (audio)
ˈbru̇m-
: any of a genus (Orobanche of the family Orobanchaceae, the broomrape family) of herbs that have leaves modified to scales and that grow as parasites on the roots of other plants

Examples of broomrape 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 clustered broomrape hadn't been seen in Wisconsin in more than 44 years. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 9 May 2023 The clustered broomrape is one such plant that is threatened in the state. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 9 May 2023 Tom Underwood, a volunteer with the Rare Plant Monitoring Program, identified the plant as a clustered broomrape (Orobanche fasciculata), the DNR wrote in its 2022 Annual Report. Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 15 May 2023 Rare plants, like the clustered broomrape, have a lot of value in Wisconsin. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 9 May 2023 Probing naked broomrape’s common and Latin names rapidly leads down the rabbit hole of the arcane. New York Times, 13 June 2018 Ferment these oral ingredients in the cask of time and the result is the hideous common name, naked broomrape. New York Times, 13 June 2018 The plant bears some of the least attractive common names in the plant kingdom: Some know it as naked broomrape. New York Times, 13 June 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of broomrape was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near broomrape

Cite this Entry

“Broomrape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broomrape. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on broomrape

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!