noun
hogweed
HOG-weed
Hogweed (noun) means a coarse umbelliferous plant of the genus Heracleum, several species of which are phototoxic. Example: “Giant hogweed can cause severe burns if the sap touches bare skin in sunlight.”
noun
1
A coarse umbelliferous plant of the genus Heracleum, several species of which are phototoxic.
"Giant hogweed can cause severe burns if the sap touches bare skin in sunlight."
"Hogweed grows tall along the riverbank in summer."
"Council workers were sent to clear the hogweed from the footpath."
How to use hogweed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large weedy plant whose sap can burn skin in sunlight.
When to use it
It is a plain, practical word used in gardening and countryside contexts.
Memory tip
Take care with giant hogweed specifically, since its sap is the type most likely to cause skin burns.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
cow parsley
Common pairings
giant hogweed
hogweed sap
clear the hogweed
hogweed burns
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Giant _____ can cause severe burns if the sap touches bare skin in sunlight.
Etymology
The word joins hog and weed, and was given to the plant because it was once used as feed for pigs.
Synonyms
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cow parsnip
Rhymes for hogweed
See all rhymes for hogweed →Frequently asked questions
What is hogweed?
It is a coarse plant of the genus Heracleum, and several of its species contain sap that reacts badly with sunlight on skin.
Why is hogweed dangerous?
Its sap is phototoxic, meaning it can cause painful burns or blistering on skin that has been exposed to sunlight.
Why is it called hogweed?
The name comes from hog and weed, because the plant was once used as feed for pigs.
What is the meaning of hogweed?
"hogweed" (noun) means a coarse umbelliferous plant of the genus Heracleum, several species of which are phototoxic.
