cauliflower

American  

[kaw-luh-flou-er, -lee-, kol-uh-, kol-ee-] / ˈkɔ ləˌflaʊ ər, -li-, ˈkɒl ə-, ˈkɒl i- /

noun

1. a form of cultivated plant, Brassica oleracea botrytis, of the mustard family, whose inflorescence forms a compact, usually whitish head.

2. this head, used as a vegetable.

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cauliflower British  

/ ˈkɒlɪˌflaʊə /

noun

1. a variety of cabbage, Brassica oleracea botrytis, having a large edible head of crowded white flowers on a very short thick stem

2. the flower head of this plant, used as a vegetable

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Etymology

Origin of cauliflower

1590–1600; < Latin cauli ( s ) cole + flower; replacing coleflorie < Italian ca ( v ) olfiore, equivalent to cavol cole + fiore < Latin flōri- (stem of flōs ) flower

Example Sentences

Foods rich in soluble fiber include many fruits and vegetables, such as apples, avocados, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

My favorite dish of the night followed: tawa-charred octopus served with cauliflower purée, fennel and crunchy rice for texture, all brightened with yuzu-lime chaat aioli and an orange glaze.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

There’s a refrigerator case with to-go items, including a turkey sandwich, roasted cauliflower bowl, chef salad and a snack box with cheese, salami, grapes and walnuts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Araceli, seen at 16, has planted lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli in the Santa Maria Valley.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

Today we make five pounds of shrimp, some clams on the half shell, four vegetable trays with broccoli, cauliflower, celery and carrots, and three trays of mushroom vol-au-vents.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King