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Definition of knapweed

knapweed

/ˈnæp.wiːd/
knap · weed
Plural:knapweeds
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knapweed Lexical Profile

knapweed Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of various Eurasian herbaceous plants of the genus Centaurea (family Asteraceae), bearing hard, knob-like flower heads topped with fringed, thistle-like purple, pink, or white blossoms; widely naturalized in North America, where several species are considered invasive rangeland weeds.

Example

"Purple blossoms of spotted knapweed blanketed the dry roadside meadow in late summer, attracting numerous bees and butterflies."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for knapweed

• Rhymes for knapweed

• Nearby Words

knackered
knackers
knapsack
knapweed
knautia
knead
kneadable

Word Origin & Etymology

Recorded in Middle English as 'knopwede', combining 'knop' (a variant of 'knap' meaning a hard knob or rounded bud, referring to the compact involucral head beneath the blossoms) with 'weed'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Knapweed. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 3, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/knapweed
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