sedge

noun

ˈsej 

: any of a family (Cyperaceae, the sedge family) of usually tufted monocotyledonous marsh plants differing from the related grasses in having achenes and solid stems

especially : any of a cosmopolitan genus (Carex)

sedgy

ˈse-jē 

adjective

Examples of sedge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For those who rarely search for anything beyond a misplaced set of keys or a cellphone, the life of a botanist might look impossibly poetic: combing through fields of wildflowers or perusing mossy riverbanks in search of elusive plants with names like handsome sedge and rough false pennyroyal. —Jenna Russell, New York Times, 11 June 2024

Select from native flowers, ferns, grasses or sedges priced by the plant, pot, tray or pack. —Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024

Thousands of small sedges planted in closely set rows now dot those riverbanks, holding the earth in place. —Erica Gies, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2018

For smaller plantings: While lots of people think about flowers, native grasses and sedges are really important in Indiana. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English segge, from Old English secg; akin to Middle High German segge sedge, Old English sagu saw — more at saw

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sedge

noun

ˈsej 

: any of a family of plants of marshy areas that are related to the grasses and have solid often three-sided stems