chickweed

noun

chick·​weed ˈchik-ˌwēd How to pronounce chickweed (audio)
: any of various low-growing small-leaved weedy plants of the pink family (especially genera Cerastium and Stellaria)
especially : a cosmopolitan weed (Stellaria media) naturalized in the U.S. from Eurasia

Illustration of chickweed

Illustration of chickweed

Examples of chickweed 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.
Pernicious annual weeds like chickweed and henbit are often the first plants to sprout. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026 Several chickweed species grow in Maryland, but those found in a lawn or garden bed are usually non-native. — Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2026 Weeds such as bedstraw, thistle, rescue grass, henbit, chickweed, and annual bluegrass are everywhere. — Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Apr. 2026 While wild dandelion greens or chickweed provide the full effect, mixed greens or even arugula also work, providing a peppery bite against the honeyed persimmon fruit. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chickweed

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chickweed was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing chickweed

Rhymes for chickweed

See All Rhymes for chickweed

Browse Nearby Words

chickpea
chickweed
chickweed phlox
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chickweed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chickweed. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chickweed

noun
chick·​weed ˈchik-ˌwēd How to pronounce chickweed (audio)
: any of several low-growing small-leaved weedy plants related to the pinks

More from Merriam-Webster on chickweed

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chickweed

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