turnip

American  

[tur-nip] / ˈtɜr nɪp /

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.

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turnip British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• turniplike adjective

Etymology

Origin of turnip

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

Compare meaning

How does turnip compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• rutabaga vs. turnip

Example Sentences

At 26 years old, he unearthed for the first time one of the prairie's most prolific provisions: a wild turnip known as timpsila in the Lakota language.

From Salon • Aug. 30, 2023

We make a salad out of turnip sprouts.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2023

Mom’s Kitchen, located in the once-safe neighborhood where Norris grew up, is a casual place serving baked chicken, turnip greens and candied sweet potatoes.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 26, 2023

"Now they're just squeezing us so hard, like blood out of a turnip."

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2022

She stared at the supper set before her trout wrapped in bacon, salad of turnip greens and red fennel and sweetgrass, pease and onions and hot bread.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin