bull thistle

noun

: a biennial Eurasian thistle (Cirsium vulgare) with purplish flower heads and prickly leaves that is naturalized as a weed in the U.S.

Examples of bull thistle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many, such as bull thistle, are noxious weeds that can displace native plants and contribute to problems such as soil erosion. Christina Grozinger, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2024 Errol’s rolling links, which once had lush greens and fairways, are now dry and brown and pocked by bull thistles and other prickly weeds. Stephen Hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, 18 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bull thistle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bull thistle was in 1863

Dictionary Entries Near bull thistle

Cite this Entry

“Bull thistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bull%20thistle. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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