ragweed

noun

rag·​weed ˈrag-ˌwēd 

: any of various chiefly North American weedy composite herbs (genus Ambrosia) that produce highly allergenic pollen

Illustration of ragweed

Examples of ragweed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Central Texas saw high pollen counts of ragweed, mold, grass and elm through September, and that's continued into October. —Nicole Cobler, Axios, 10 Oct. 2024

In the fall, the primary culprit of allergy symptoms is ragweed. —Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 21 Sep. 2024

September and October are known for ragweed season and pollen from some fall trees. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Nov. 2024

People in Boston escaped ragweed seasons at the Bretton Woods resort in New Hampshire while those in other cities had similar escapes. —Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ragweed

noun

rag·​weed ˈrag-ˌwēd 

: any of various chiefly North American weedy herbs related to the daisies and producing pollen irritating to the eyes and noses of some persons

Medical Definition

ragweed

noun

rag·​weed ˈrag-ˌwēd 

: any of various chiefly North American weedy herbaceous plants comprising the genus Ambrosia and producing highly allergenic pollen responsible for much hay fever and asthma: as

a

: an annual weed (A. artemisiifolia) with finely divided foliage that is common on open or cultivated ground in much of North America

b

: a coarse annual (A. trifida) with some or all of the leaves usually deeply and palmately 3-cleft or 5-cleft

called also great ragweed