Illustration of mistletoe
mistletoe
noun
mis·tle·toe ˈmi-səl-ˌtō 
chiefly British ˈmi-zəl-
: a European semiparasitic green shrub (Viscum album of the family Loranthaceae, the mistletoe family) with thick leaves, small yellowish flowers, and waxy-white glutinous berries
broadly : any of various plants of the mistletoe family (as of an American genus Phoradendron) resembling the true mistletoe
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Its features are dedicated to recipes, curiosities, gardening suggestions, jokes, a history lesson about mistletoe, a feature on Ukrainian Christmas food — but no mention of why Ukraine might be of interest at the moment. 
Mark Athitakis, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2022 Only one other multicellular organism is known to be able to exist without it — the parasitic mistletoe. Megan Molteni, STAT, 23 July 2022 Fruit-bearing thornbush, wolfberry and invasive mistletoe attract birds including cactus wrens, phainopeplas, mockingbirds and doves while rabbits, squirrels and lizards scurry among jojoba bushes and many species of cholla cactus. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2022 Mesquite is the most common tree in our area for mistletoe to prey upon. Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Jan. 2022 There will be no mistletoe for Kyle Richards this year. Kelly Wynne, PEOPLE.com, 10 Dec. 2021 In one scene in the video, Glenn, who is gay and is a former member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holds up a sprig of mistletoe. Sean P. Means, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Nov. 2021 Swallowing American mistletoe can cause an upset stomach. Jay Cannon, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2021 Dee and Keith sell mistletoe at the end of the driveway for $1. oregonlive, 14 Dec. 2021 See More
Mark Athitakis, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2022 Only one other multicellular organism is known to be able to exist without it — the parasitic mistletoe. Megan Molteni, STAT, 23 July 2022 Fruit-bearing thornbush, wolfberry and invasive mistletoe attract birds including cactus wrens, phainopeplas, mockingbirds and doves while rabbits, squirrels and lizards scurry among jojoba bushes and many species of cholla cactus. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2022 Mesquite is the most common tree in our area for mistletoe to prey upon. Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Jan. 2022 There will be no mistletoe for Kyle Richards this year. Kelly Wynne, PEOPLE.com, 10 Dec. 2021 In one scene in the video, Glenn, who is gay and is a former member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holds up a sprig of mistletoe. Sean P. Means, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Nov. 2021 Swallowing American mistletoe can cause an upset stomach. Jay Cannon, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2021 Dee and Keith sell mistletoe at the end of the driveway for $1. oregonlive, 14 Dec. 2021 See More 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
Kids Definition
mistletoe
noun
mis·tle·toe ˈmi-səl-ˌtō
: a plant with waxy white berries that grows on the branches and trunks of trees
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