asparagus

[ uh-spar-uh-guhs ]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Asparagus, of the lily family, especially A. officianalis, cultivated for its edible shoots.
2. the shoots, eaten as a vegetable.

asparagus

/ əˈspærəɡəs /

noun

1. any Eurasian liliaceous plant of the genus Asparagus, esp the widely cultivated A. officinalis, having small scaly or needle-like leaves
2. the succulent young shoots of A. officinalis, which may be cooked and eaten
3. asparagus fern
   asparagus fern a fernlike species of asparagus, A. plumosus, native to southern Africa

Other Words From

• as·pa·rag·i·nous [as-p, uh, -, raj, -, uh, -n, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of asparagus¹

before 1000; < Latin < Greek asp ( h ) áragos; replacing Old English sparagi (< Medieval Latin ) and later sperage, sparrowgrass

Word History and Origins

Origin of asparagus¹

C15: from Latin, from Greek asparagos, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

The pickled lemon strips are a great example of an easy way to add a last-second brightness — over the top of, say, a plate of roasted asparagus or broccoli or fish tacos.

From Washington Post

The book recounts, in part, the British writer’s romance with a Sardinian chef, with whom she forages for wild asparagus and prepares family recipes.

From Washington Post

How to braise vegetables and bring out their best flavorsIn starting your mashing journey, we recommend avoiding stringy vegetables that could negatively impact the texture of the finished dish, such as asparagus or celery.

From Washington Post

In theory, you can braise practically anything, even more delicate items, such as asparagus and peas.

From Washington Post

Often prepared in a similar way to steak, cactus leaves have a mild, grassy flavor that is sometimes compared to asparagus, and their green and vegetable notes work well with those of roasted garlic puree.

From Popular-Science

How is life worth living without spinach, tender asparagus, or purple-sprouting broccoli?

From The Daily Beast

A fifth of Brits had never tried asparagus and even fewer had tried figs or prunes.

From The Daily Beast

I lived for my packages from home of eggplants and asparagus and tomatoes and broccoli and elephant garlic.

From The Daily Beast

The U.S. is one of Ecuador's largest customers, buying cut flowers, asparagus, minerals, and Pacific tuna fish.

From The Daily Beast

Add the green beans, peas, lima beans, asparagus, fava beans, and 1/2 cup water to the pan.

From The Daily Beast

Allow the mixture to simmer in a hot oven and serve with fresh asparagus cut before breakfast.

From Project Gutenberg

Annie was directing the boy who had been helping her cut asparagus to carry the baskets up where Ruth was sitting.

From Project Gutenberg

Her own work lagged, watching Annie as with quick, sure motions she made the asparagus into bunches for market.

From Project Gutenberg

When I brought on the asparagus, he said that in Poland they put burnt bread crumbs into drawn-butter sauce.

From Project Gutenberg

As an article of food, asparagus, in moderation, is both wholesome and nutritious.

From Project Gutenberg