mistletoe

noun

mis·​tle·​toe ˈmi-səl-ˌtō How to pronounce mistletoe (audio)
 chiefly British  ˈmi-zəl-
: a European semiparasitic green shrub (Viscum album of the family Santalaceae, the sandalwood family) with thick leaves, small yellowish flowers, and waxy-white glutinous berries
broadly : any of various plants of the sandalwood family (as of an American genus Phoradendron) resembling the true mistletoe

Illustration of mistletoe

Illustration of mistletoe

Examples of mistletoe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This handsome bird feeds on nectar from eucalyptus and mistletoe species, as well as on insects and their honeydew. Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 There, the elephants browsed on whatever plant foods were available, from elm and spruce to thistles and mistletoe. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025 Tie them in different fashions as well; wrap one frame like a gift, and add bells or mistletoe to others. Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Dec. 2024 The Brit is giggling in the private bar of a Soho hotel in central London festively decorated with bright red baubles and mistletoe ahead of the holidays. Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for mistletoe

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mistilto, from Old English misteltān, from mistel mistletoe + tān twig; akin to Old High German & Old Saxon mistil mistletoe and to Old High German zein twig

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mistletoe was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mistletoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistletoe. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

mistletoe

noun
mis·​tle·​toe ˈmis-əl-ˌtō How to pronounce mistletoe (audio)
: a European plant with yellowish flowers and waxy white berries that grows on the branches and trunks of trees
also : any of various related plants that resemble the mistletoe

Medical Definition

mistletoe

noun
mis·​tle·​toe
ˈmis-əl-ˌtō, chiefly British ˈmiz-
: any of various parasitic or semiparasitic plants (family Loranthaceae, the mistletoe family) that have thick leathery mostly opposite and sometimes scaly leaves and include some formerly used in preparations with oxytocic, antispasmodic, or heart-stimulating properties: as
a
: a European semiparasitic green shrub (Viscum album) having somewhat poisonous leaves, stems, and waxy-white glutinous berries that have been used in folk medicine
b
: any of various American plants (genus Phoradendron and especially P. serotinum synonym P. flavescens) resembling the true mistletoe of Europe

More from Merriam-Webster on mistletoe

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