Illustration of dandelion
dandelion
noun
dan·de·li·on ˈdan-də-ˌlī-ən 
-dē-
: any of a genus (Taraxacum) of yellow-flowered composite herbs with milky sap
especially : one (T. officinale) sometimes grown as a potherb and nearly cosmopolitan as a weed
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The now-30-year-old Nelson makes videos about magnolia blossoms, maple leaves, dandelion fritters, even invasive species like Japanese knotweed. 
Gabriel Popkin, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 Consider incorporating whole grains, beans, nuts, Jerusalem artichokes, dandelion greens, garlic, and onions into your diet. Alexa Mikhail, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2022 Made from dandelion root and chicory root, along with barley and rye, this healthy tea contains a full suite of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can help add to a balanced diet. Hannah Jeon, Good Housekeeping, 9 July 2022 Emerald-green grasses compete for attention with knee-high dandelion puffs, while closer to the ground blue violets and yellow mock strawberry blossoms gleam like jewels. Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2022 Examples of prebiotic-rich foods include bananas, onions, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, apple skin, dandelion greens, oats and more. Stefani Sassos, Ms, Rdn, Cso, Cdn, Nasm-cpt, Good Housekeeping, 13 July 2022 The pencils come in a variety of shades—with catchy names like Ink, Fresco, Kiln, and Patina—and range from deep colors like black, navy, forest green, and eggplant to light shades like dandelion yellow, light blue, soft lavender, and pure white. Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 11 July 2022 The pufflegs all have teensy fluffy dandelion-like hummingbird socks! Grrlscientist, Forbes, 26 June 2022 Elsewhere, a waistcoat in vivid dandelion sported studded pockets that unfurled like an opening flower. Thomas Adamson, ajc, 23 June 2022 See More
Gabriel Popkin, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 Consider incorporating whole grains, beans, nuts, Jerusalem artichokes, dandelion greens, garlic, and onions into your diet. Alexa Mikhail, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2022 Made from dandelion root and chicory root, along with barley and rye, this healthy tea contains a full suite of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can help add to a balanced diet. Hannah Jeon, Good Housekeeping, 9 July 2022 Emerald-green grasses compete for attention with knee-high dandelion puffs, while closer to the ground blue violets and yellow mock strawberry blossoms gleam like jewels. Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2022 Examples of prebiotic-rich foods include bananas, onions, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, apple skin, dandelion greens, oats and more. Stefani Sassos, Ms, Rdn, Cso, Cdn, Nasm-cpt, Good Housekeeping, 13 July 2022 The pencils come in a variety of shades—with catchy names like Ink, Fresco, Kiln, and Patina—and range from deep colors like black, navy, forest green, and eggplant to light shades like dandelion yellow, light blue, soft lavender, and pure white. Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 11 July 2022 The pufflegs all have teensy fluffy dandelion-like hummingbird socks! Grrlscientist, Forbes, 26 June 2022 Elsewhere, a waistcoat in vivid dandelion sported studded pockets that unfurled like an opening flower. Thomas Adamson, ajc, 23 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English dendelyoun, from Anglo-French dent de lion, literally, lion's tooth
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
dandelion
noun
dan·de·li·on ˈdan-də-ˌlī-ən
: a weedy plant that has bright yellow flowers with hollow stems and leaves that are sometimes used as food
Medical Definition
dandelion
noun
dan·de·li·on ˈdan-dᵊl-ˌī-ən
: any plant of the genus Taraxacum
especially : an herb (T. officinale) sometimes grown as a potherb and nearly cosmopolitan as a weed