buckthorn

noun

buck·​thorn ˈbək-ˌthȯrn 

1

: any of a genus (Rhamnus of the family Rhamnaceae, the buckthorn family) of often thorny trees or shrubs some of which yield purgatives or pigments

2

: a shrub or small tree (Sideroxylon lycioides) of the sapodilla family of the southern U.S.

Examples of buckthorn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This flash treatment is also infused with sea buckthorn extract, an ingredient that's rich in fatty acids for a dose of hydration. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 17 Oct. 2024

This smoothing formula makes skin look and feel suppler through its proprietary peptides alongside antioxidant-rich rosehip oil and sea buckthorn extract. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024

Heavy development also made the land vulnerable to non-native buckthorn, honeysuckle, garlic mustard, purple loosestrife, multiflora rose and mulberry. —Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024

The tree is a species of Ziziphus in the Rhamnaceae, or the buckthorn plant family. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing buckthorn

• cascara buckthorn

Medical Definition

buckthorn

noun

buck·​thorn ˈbək-ˌthȯ(ə)rn 

: a shrub or tree of the genus Rhamnus sometimes having thorny branches and often containing purgative principles in bark or sap and producing fruits sometimes used as a source of yellow and green dyes or pigments see cascara buckthorn