nightshade

noun

night·​shade ˈnīt-ˌshād How to pronounce nightshade (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Solanum of the family Solanaceae, the nightshade family) of herbs, shrubs, and trees having alternate leaves, cymose flowers, and fruits that are berries and including some poisonous weeds, various ornamentals, and important crop plants (such as the potato and eggplant)
2

Examples of nightshade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Part 1 is Primrose, Part 2 is Rue, and Part 3 is Katniss, and for the title page, the design is loosely based on belladonna (nightshade). Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 30 Sep. 2024 The result is a gorgeous spirit, deadly as nightshade, named Delores, who happens to be Beetlejuice’s ex-wife. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2024 Eggplant Eggplant, a member of the nightshade family, is a popular ingredient in many dishes and, when cooked properly, can be used as a meat substitute. Lindsey Desoto, Health, 30 July 2024 Recipes editor Becky Krystal wrote a helpful how-to guide all about the nightshade that is botanically a fruit but treated in cooking as a vegetable, answering common questions about salting, texture, cooking methods and more. Anna Rodriguez, Washington Post, 24 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for nightshade 

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of nightshade was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near nightshade

Cite this Entry

“Nightshade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nightshade. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

nightshade

noun
night·​shade ˈnīt-ˌshād How to pronounce nightshade (audio)
: any of a family of herbs, shrubs, and trees having clusters of usually white, yellow, or purple flowers, and fruits that are berries and including many poisonous forms (as belladonna) and important food plants (as the potato, tomato, and eggplant)

Medical Definition

nightshade

noun
night·​shade ˈnīt-ˌshād How to pronounce nightshade (audio)
1
: any plant of the genus Solanum (family Solanaceae, the nightshade family) which includes some poisonous weeds, various ornamental garden plants, and important crop plants (as the potato and eggplant)
2

More from Merriam-Webster on nightshade

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