thistle
noun
this·tle
| \ ˈthi-səl
\
\
Definition of thistle
: any of various prickly composite plants (especially genera Carduus, Cirsium, and Onopordum) with often showy heads of mostly tubular flowers
also
: any of various other prickly plants
Illustration of thistle
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Other Words from thistle
thistly
\ ˈthi-s(ə-)lē
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of thistle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This week in the garden To reduce or prevent the germination of winter weeds such as bedstraw, thistle, dandelion, beggar’s lice, rescue grass, henbit, and annual bluegrass apply a pre-emergent herbicide such as Dimension, Amaze, or XL now. — Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, "Yeah, it feels wrong, but it’s time to plant your winter vegetables," 30 Aug. 2019 And for the first lady, the British monarch commissioned a silver box with an enamel lid featuring rose, thistle, and shamrock details that were inspired by the ceiling decorations of the Music Room of the palace. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "Queen Elizabeth Gives Donald Trump a First-Edition Copy of Churchill’s World War II Book," 3 June 2019 Two double-decker trucks unloaded about 300 animals to help remove invasive non-native weeds such as bur clover, mustard, and thistle. — Gary Richards, The Mercury News, "Bicycling worries on city streets: Roadshow," 12 Aug. 2019 The thistle caterpillars have been hatching in unusual droves across Iowa soybean fields. — USA TODAY, "Leaping frogs, spiny lobsters, hostile roosters: News from around our 50 states," 26 July 2019 For the blues of her dress: viburnum berries and the thistle-like Eryngium. — Lindsey Taylor, WSJ, "A Post-Holiday Bouquet Based on a Pretty, Pooped-Out Reveler," 24 Jan. 2019 Blessed thistle, for instance, is a plant that was originally native to the Mediterranean and was used by monks in the Middle Ages to relieve digestion; its leaves are now sometimes recommended to nursing mothers in tea or capsule form. — E.j. Dickson, Vox, "Inside the mommy-friendly, scientifically sketchy world of breastfeeding supplements," 20 Dec. 2018 Delicate, pale blue larkspur and a deeper hit of blue thistle mimic the airy pattern in the armchair’s fabric, and the foliage of wax flower became the piercing green of the cat’s eyes. — Lindsey Taylor, WSJ, "A Winter Bouquet, Black Cat Included," 20 Dec. 2018 Eugenie's gorgeous wedding bouquet included not only the traditional spring of myrtle, but also Lily of the Valley, Stephanotis pips, baby blue thistles, white spray roses, and trailing ivy. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Princess Eugenie's Bridal Bouquet Included a Sweet Tribute to Her Kensington Palace Home, Ivy Cottage," 12 Oct. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thistle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for thistle
thistle
noun
English Language Learners Definition of thistle
: a wild plant that has sharp points on its leaves and purple, yellow, or white flowers
See the full definition for thistle in the English Language Learners Dictionary
thistle
noun
this·tle
| \ ˈthi-səl
\
\
Kids Definition of thistle
: a prickly plant that has usually purplish often showy heads of flowers
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