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

These include ragweed, certain types of perfume, nail lacquer vapor, and insecticide spray. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

People with oral allergy syndrome (OAS) may develop a strawberry tongue after eating raw fruits or vegetables pollinated by grasses, birch trees, or ragweed. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Unlike tree pollen, which usually causes allergies in the springtime, ragweed pollen is a huge trigger that causes fall allergies. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 Oct. 2024

Zoom in: The top allergens in NWA are ragweed and grasses, according to Pollen.com. —Alex Golden, Axios, 9 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