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Definition of cress

cress

/krɛs/
cress
Plural:cresses
•
Adjective:cressy
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cress Lexical Profile

• noun

1

The pungent, peppery-flavored leaves and young shoots of various small plants of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), especially garden cress or watercress, eaten raw as a salad green or garnish.

Example

"She topped the egg salad sandwich with a generous handful of fresh cress."

2

Any of various small herbaceous plants of the family Brassicaceae, such as garden cress (Lepidium sativum) or watercress (Nasturtium officinale), typically growing in moist habitats and cultivated for their edible pungent foliage.

Example

"The elementary school students sprouted cress on damp paper towels to observe plant germination."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cress

• Rhymes for cress

• Nearby Words

crepey
crescendo
crescent
cress
crest
crested
crested gecko

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English cressa or cærse, from Proto-Germanic *krasjǭ, related to German Kresse and Dutch kers.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cress. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cress
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