poison ivy

American

noun

a vine or shrub, Rhus radicans, having trifoliate leaves and whitish berries and causing severe dermatitis when touched by persons sensitive to it.
poison oak.
the rash caused by touching poison ivy.

poison ivy British

noun

any of several North American anacardiaceous shrubs or vines of the genus Rhus (or Toxicodendron ), esp R. radicans, which has small green flowers and whitish berries that cause an itching rash on contact See also sumach

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of poison ivy

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Last year Coogie Jackson ate some leaves for two bits and got poison ivy all through his throat and innards.

From Literature

Most kids, by then, are bored with summer and itchy from mosquito bites and poison ivy and nothing to do.

From Literature

What about snakes and ticks and poison ivy?

From The Wall Street Journal

If you plan to use natural elements for wiping, make sure you know what poison ivy and other unfriendly plants look like.

From Los Angeles Times

We covered about 150 miles in all, crossing creeks, dodging rattlesnakes and poison ivy, climbing up and around switchbacks.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023