okra

American  

[oh-kruh] / ˈoʊ krə /

noun

1. a shrub, Abelmoschus esculentus, of the mallow family, bearing beaked pods.

2. the pods, used in soups, stews, etc.

3. a dish made with the pods.

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okra British  

/ ˈəʊkrə /

noun

1. Also called: ladies' fingers.  an annual malvaceous plant, Hibiscus esculentus, of the Old World tropics, with yellow-and-red flowers and edible oblong sticky green pods

2. the pod of this plant, eaten in soups, stews, etc See also gumbo

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Etymology

Origin of okra

First recorded in 1670–80; said to be of West African origin, though precise source unknown; compare Igbo ókùrù okra

Example Sentences

He told us tales of big brinjals, bright pumpkin flowers, sprite okra that grew in the farmland in what’s now Bangladesh, where he grew up.

From Salon • May 9, 2026

The “Landman” star said the key for good fried okra is to use cornmeal.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

On the other hand, crops such as sunflower, durum wheat, soybean, chickpeas, lemon and okra could become more viable, particularly in southwestern England or near the Scottish coast.

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

She and a colleague planted tomatoes, watermelon, okra, red cabbage and onions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 18, 2025

I’d helped Bertha inspect the okra to figure out how many jars we’d need for pickling.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor