turnip

[tur-nip]

noun

1. the thick, fleshy, edible root of either of two plants of the mustard family, the white-fleshed Brassica rapa rapifera or the yellow-fleshed rutabaga.

2. the plant itself.

3. the root of this plant used as a vegetable.

turnip

/ ˈtɜːnɪp /

noun

1. a widely cultivated plant, Brassica rapa , of the Mediterranean region, with a large yellow or white edible root: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

2. the root of this plant, which is eaten as a vegetable

3. any of several similar or related plants

4. another name for kohlrabi

Other Word Forms

• turniplike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of turnip¹

1525–35; earlier turnep(e) , equivalent to turn (with reference to its neatly rounded shape) + nepe neep

Word History and Origins

Origin of turnip¹

C16: from earlier turnepe , perhaps from _turn (indicating its rounded shape) + nepe , from Latin nāpus turnip; see _neep

Example Sentences

Most convicts had been found guilty of theft, with many being repeat offenders, but some were deported for crimes as petty as trampling on the turnips of the local aristocracy.

From BBC

Roots and vegetables are natural fits: turnips, parsnips, cauliflower, mushrooms, roasted eggplant, fennel, sunchokes.

From Salon

Yes, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer tucked in a bib and tucked into the haggis, accompanied by neeps and tatties, cute Scottish names for turnips and potatoes, mashed and buttered.

From Los Angeles Times

I'm so intrigued by the inclusion of a few ingredients: country ham, daylily shoots, Harueki turnips, blackberries in a pasta dish, cornbread crumb, garum caramel, etc.

From Salon

I spotted Samir in the crowd, hassling an Uzbek merchant with a scraggly beard that looked like the roots of a turnip.

From Literature