giant reed

noun

: a tall perennial grass (Arundo donax) native to Mediterranean regions that has woody stems used especially in making baskets, shelters, and reeds for woodwind instruments

Examples of giant reed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In early 2023, one such target was Arundo, or giant reed, a bamboo-like plant that’s native to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers but now grows dense, reedy walls along Arizona streams. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024 The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has approved using wasps to control the giant reed in Texas. Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 10 May 2024 Unlike Tree-of-Heaven roots, Johnson grass does little to prevent erosion, so landowners planted invasive Arundo, a giant reed similar to bamboo that has its own, larger thirsty straws, to try to hold everything in place. Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, 16 Nov. 2022 The saltwater intrusion into marshes will knock back noxious plants such as cattail and giant reed, creating open water (and) allowing for vegetation of higher quality to grow in its absence. Gary Garth, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2017 One of the biggest culprits is the invasive weed known as arundo donax, or the giant reed, which clogs the river when water begins to flow. Phil Diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, 21 Oct. 2017 Cane Hundreds of thousands of acres in the southern U.S., from Florida to California, are infested with an exotic plant known as carrizo cane, or giant reed. Brian Barth, Smithsonian, 3 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of giant reed was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near giant reed

Cite this Entry

“Giant reed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giant%20reed. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on giant reed

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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