banana

[buh-nan-uh]

noun

1. a tropical plant of the genus Musa, certain species of which are cultivated for their nutritious fruit.

2. the fruit, especially that of M. paradisiaca, with yellow or reddish rind.

banana

/ bəˈnɑːnə /

noun

1. any of several tropical and subtropical herbaceous treelike plants of the musaceous genus Musa , esp M. sapientum , a widely cultivated species propagated from suckers and having hanging clusters of edible fruit

2. the crescent-shaped fruit of any of these plants Compare plantain 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of banana¹

1590–1600; < Spanish < Portuguese (perhaps via Sp); akin to various words for banana or plantain in WAfr languages (e.g., Wolof, Malinke banana, Vai (Mande language of Liberia) bana ), but ultimate source and direction of borrowing uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of banana¹

C16: from Spanish or Portuguese, of African origin

Idioms and Phrases

• drive someone crazy (bananas)
• go bananas
• top banana

Example Sentences

L.A. is a city filled with incredible pancake options, whether you prefer yours with a base of buttermilk or cornmeal, filled with blueberries or bananas, or topped with whipped cream.

From Los Angeles Times

That is the equivalent of every person in Wales recycling an extra banana skin each week.

From BBC

"Seeing the struggles of the soldiers in the hospitals, and then the smiles on the children's faces when we gave them stuff like oranges and bananas, it definitely changed something in me," Mr Spring said.

From BBC

She said people mostly got bread, salad and bananas.

From BBC

After, they’d race back up the hill to devour the usual breakfast of egg whites — sometimes mashing in bananas for sweetness.

From Los Angeles Times

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