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 Words From

• turnip·like 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

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

The winter of 1916–17 became known as the “turnip winter,” when that humble vegetable became the staple of many diets.

From Literature

In gatherings, they savored rice cakes and turnip cakes, with children receiving cash-stuffed red envelopes as blessings from their married relatives.

From Seattle Times

When she bought other, lesser-known vegetables at the supermarket — the book also features burdock, celery root, escarole, turnips and 18 more — the checkers wouldn’t know the codes.

From Seattle Times