sedge

noun

ˈsej How to pronounce sedge (audio)
: any of a family (Cyperaceae, the sedge family) of usually tufted monocotyledonous marsh plants differing from the related grasses in having achenes and solid stems
especially : any of a cosmopolitan genus (Carex)
sedgy
ˈse-jē How to pronounce sedge (audio)
adjective

Examples of sedge 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.
Consider planting flowering perennials alongside sedges and grasses, and incorporating shrubs and small trees, if space allows. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 There are a number of sedges, some of which are called nut sedges, flourishing during the wet summer weather in Florida lawns. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 Some small plants that do well in shallow water are dwarf water lilies, water forget-me-nots, water mint, and dwarf sedge varieties. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026 Garden Path Combo Along a stone path, Erin plants an eye-catching combo of blue spruce, purple ajuga, sedges, and copper coral bells. — Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sedge

Word History

Etymology

Middle English segge, from Old English secg; akin to Middle High German segge sedge, Old English sagu saw — more at saw

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for sedge

See All Rhymes for sedge

Browse Nearby Words

sederunt
sedge
sedge family
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sedge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedge. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

sedge

noun
ˈsej How to pronounce sedge (audio)
: any of a family of plants of marshy areas that are related to the grasses and have solid often three-sided stems
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All