Brussels sprout
Americannoun
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Botany. a cruciferous plant, Brassica oleracea gemmifera, having small, cabbagelike heads or buds along the stalk that are eaten as a vegetable.
The Brussels sprout is a cool-season crop.
Brussels sprouts were introduced to California agriculture around 1920.
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Usually Brussels sprouts. any of the heads or buds, eaten as a vegetable.
When preparing a medley of roasted vegetables, don’t forget the Brussels sprouts.
noun
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a variety of cabbage, Brassica oleracea gemmifera , having a stout stem studded with budlike heads of tightly folded leaves, resembling tiny cabbages
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the head of this plant, eaten as a vegetable
Etymology
Origin of Brussels sprout
First recorded in 1790–1800
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their Brussels sprout appetizer with balsamic glaze is amazing.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
But the price of every item on our list - except for the divisive Brussels sprout - has increased at more than the rate of inflation, which reached 11.1% in October.
From BBC • Dec. 1, 2022
Gently mound the crispy Brussels sprout leaves on top of the quartered Brussels sprouts.
From Fox News • Nov. 19, 2021
The $40 menu — well, actually the $38.64 menu — includes game hens with cornbread stuffing, a citrusy shaved Brussels sprout salad, twice-baked sweet potatoes with honey-glazed pecans and an easy-to-make cranberry trifle.
From Salon • Nov. 15, 2021
Meat in my mouth, chew ten times, lettuce in my mouth, chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew, soggy Brussels sprout, mushroom cap, chew, chew, chew.
From "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.