thistle

noun

this·​tle ˈthi-səl 

plural thistles

1

: any of various composite (see composite entry 1 sense 1b) flowering plants (especially genera Carduus, Cirsium, and Onopordum) that have prickles on their leaves and sometimes on their stems and often have showy heads of tubular, usually purple flowers

also : any of various other prickly plants

2

often thistle seed plural thistle seeds : the small black seed of a tropical African herbaceous plant (Guizotia abyssinica) used especially as a source of oil and for bird feed

thistly

ˈthi-s(ə-)lē 

adjective

Illustration of thistle

Examples of thistle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wright's marsh thistle (scientific name: Cirsium wrightii) Zuni fleabane (scientific name: Erigeron rhizomatus) Reach the reporter at [e-mail] or on X @ZachBradshaw14. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 17 Dec. 2024

Black oil sunflower seeds and thistle seeds appeal to a wide variety of birds. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2024

For England, there is a rose, for Scotland a thistle, for Wales a daffodil and for Northern Ireland a shamrock. —Caoimhe O'Neill, The Athletic, 24 July 2024

Later home felt everywhere, radiant waters, thistles, greenest hilltops dotted with sheep, masses of tulips and geese, wandering William’s intricate paths, pausing at every turn, life stretching ahead, mountains of bliss and searing sorrow for years to come. —Jennifer Harlan, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English thistel, from Old English; akin to Old High German distill thistle

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing thistle

• bull thistle
• Canada thistle
• globe thistle
• milk thistle
• musk thistle
• Russian thistle
• sow thistle
• star thistle
• thistle tube

Kids Definition

thistle

noun

this·​tle ˈthis-əl 

: any of various prickly plants related to the daisies and having often showy heads of mostly tubular flowers

thistly

ˈthis-(ə-)lē 

adjective