goldenrod

noun

gold·​en·​rod ˈgōl-dən-ˌräd How to pronounce goldenrod (audio)
: any of numerous chiefly North American composite perennial herbs (genus Solidago) with small heads of usually yellow late-blooming flowers often clustered in panicles compare rayless goldenrod

Examples of goldenrod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the fall, goldenrods, sunflowers, and several varieties of asters begin to bloom, while February marks the arrival of spicebush blossoms, rhododendrons, and flame azaleas. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 This is the case for all plants in the sunflower family, including daisies, yarrow, goldenrod, asters, coreopsis, and bachelor's buttons. Deb Wiley, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2024 Other native plant candidates for winter sowing, Schaller said, include bee balm, coneflower, goldenrod, blazing star, phlox and lobelia. Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024 Tall, woody wildflowers like goldenrod, ironweed, teasel, mullein and the like can produce embers in seconds. Bradley Duncan, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2023 To encourage only native plants to grow, Paul and her team dug pits into the eucalyptus mulch down to the soil layer and planted species grown in the reserve’s native nursery, including California goldenrod and creeping wild rye. Alix Soliman, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2024 The delicate flowers of yellow top brushed against cones of goldenrod. Michael Adno, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2024 Beyond the whole pollinator thing, goldenrods are tremendously useful plants. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 Sep. 2023 Mints, plume poppies and goldenrods increase primarily by sending wandering runners (rhizomes) to expand their territory, a common multiplication method for overly energetic plants. Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goldenrod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goldenrod was in 1568

Dictionary Entries Near goldenrod

Cite this Entry

“Goldenrod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goldenrod. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

goldenrod

noun
gold·​en·​rod ˈgōl-dən-ˌräd How to pronounce goldenrod (audio)
: any of numerous chiefly North American herbs that are related to the daisies and have tall stiff stems topped with rows of tiny usually yellow flowers on slender branches

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