1. a coarse weedy plant with spiny burs that stick to clothing and animal fur

Examples

• The dog came home covered in cockleburs after running through the field.
• Cockleburs clung to my socks during the nature hike.
• Farmers consider cocklebur a troublesome weed in their crops.
• The spiny cocklebur seeds spread by attaching to passing animals.
• We spent an hour picking cockleburs out of the horse’s mane.
• Cockleburs can be found growing along roadsides and in waste areas.