kudzu

noun

kud·zu ˈku̇d-(ˌ)zü

ˈkəd-

: a fast-growing Asian vine (Pueraria lobata) of the legume family that is used for forage and erosion control and is often a serious weed in the southeastern U.S.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Tragedy: Boring buildings everywhere Generic glass towers and endless banal apartment blocks spread like kudzu across this too-conventional city. —

Mark Lamster, Dallas News, 11 Apr. 2023 By then, the disease had carpeted her pelvic organs like kudzu. —

Jena Pincott, Scientific American, 1 June 2018 But like kudzu, endometriosis is tough to subdue—beating it back will take a concerted effort by researchers and doctors, as well as a real financial commitment from a society finally ready to take this disorder seriously. —

Jena Pincott, Scientific American, 1 June 2018 What is your favorite kudzu fun fact? —

Quartz Staff, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2021 Here’s the bit with the rampant kudzu. —

Sam Robinson, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2017 The Alabama media supplied a punchline from a lawyer whose billboards cover the nation’s Southeast like kudzu. —

Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2022 Some researchers are looking at extracts of the invasive vine kudzu to combat binge drinking and others are getting worms hungover to target new molecular pathways to alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. —

Troy Farah, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2018 However, there's getting to be so much kudzu in the U.S. that Hickman decided to measure what its ozone contribution might be. —

Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2010 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kudzu.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Japanese kuzu

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of kudzu was in 1876

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Kudzu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kudzu. Accessed 9 Jul. 2023.

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Kids Definition

kudzu

noun

kud·zu ˈku̇d-zü

: a fast-growing trailing Asian vine that is related to the pea, is grown for grazing and for erosion control, and is often a serious weed in the southeastern U.S.

Last Updated: 16 May 2023 - Updated example sentences