Weed

Definition

A weed is a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants. In modern colloquial usage, "weed" can also refer to cannabis, especially when used recreationally or medicinally.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (to weed)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /wiːd/
• Respelling: weed

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /wiːd/
• Respelling: weed

In both American and British English, "weed" is pronounced with a long "ee" sound as in "see," followed by a "d" sound. The pronunciation is essentially the same in both versions of English.

Etymology

The term "weed" originates from the Old English "weod", which meant "grass" or "herb". Over time, its meaning evolved to refer to plants that grow abundantly and often undesirably in places where they are not wanted.

Derivatives

• Weeder
• Weeding
• Weedless
• Weedkiller
• Weediness

Synonyms

• Tare
• Unwanted plant
• Cannabis (in the context of marijuana)

Antonyms

• Cultivated plant
• Desired vegetation
• None (in the context of marijuana)

Usage

"Weed" is commonly used in gardening and agriculture to refer to unwanted plants. It has also become a widely recognized slang term for cannabis, especially in popular culture.

Related Terms

• Herbicide
• Invasive species
• Marijuana
• Horticulture
• Flora

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Any plant that grows abundantly in a location where it is not desired, often to the detriment of other plants.‍
• Example: Dandelions are often considered weeds in manicured lawns.

• The dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant, especially when used for recreational or medicinal purposes.‍
• Example: Many states have legalized the recreational use of weed.

Verb (to weed)

• To remove weeds from a place, especially a garden, lawn, or field.‍
• Example: She spent the afternoon weeding the flowerbeds.

• To eliminate something undesirable from a collection or group.‍
• Example: The editor spent days weeding out errors in the manuscript.