taro

[ tahr-oh, tair-oh, tar-oh ]

noun

, plural ta·ros.

1. a plant, Colocasia esculenta, of the arum family, cultivated for its edible tuber: widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions, including the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, Australia, New Zealand, India, and a number of Asian and African nations.
2. the edible tuber of Colocasia esculenta, a widely distributed tropical and subtropical plant of the arum family.

taro

/ ˈtɑːrəʊ /

noun

1. an aroid plant, Colocasia esculenta, cultivated in the tropics for its large edible rootstock
2. the rootstock of this plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of taro¹

Borrowed into English from Polynesian around 1770–80

Word History and Origins

Origin of taro¹

C18: from Tahitian and Māori

Example Sentences

The restaurant is famous for its taro ball desserts, grass jelly and shaved ice - treats not normally found on the menu in Yorkshire, but a popular treat for many in Taiwan and surrounding countries.

From BBC

I had hoped to add a dessert of Lunar New Year milk tea and taro doughnuts, but was simply too full.

From Los Angeles Times

On a recent November day, he laid several broad taro leaves out across his hand, which he cupped to form a bowl.

From Los Angeles Times

Then sugar and pineapple magnates from the U.S. and Europe followed, destroying the ecosystem by digging up native taro and banana trees and draining the wetlands to irrigate their plantations.

From Los Angeles Times

After the school closed, the program held classes outdoors, away from the burn zone, and focused on cultural learning such as making bamboo trumpets and working in taro patches.

From Seattle Times