beet

[beet]

noun

1. any of various biennial plants belonging to the genus Beta, of the amaranth family, especially B. vulgaris, having a fleshy red or white root.

2. the edible root of such a plant.

3. the leaves of such a plant, served as a salad or cooked vegetable.

beet

/ biːt /

noun

1. any chenopodiaceous plant of the genus Beta , esp the Eurasian species B. vulgaris , widely cultivated in such varieties as the sugar beet, mangelwurzel, beetroot, and spinach beet See also chard

2. the leaves of any of several varieties of this plant, which are cooked and eaten as a vegetable

3. the US name for beetroot

Other Word Forms

• beetlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beet¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English bete, Old English bēte, from Latin bēta

Word History and Origins

Origin of beet¹

Old English bēte , from Latin bēta

Example Sentences

Under normal circumstances she would have been thrilled to visit Russia, a fascinating place where the tops of important buildings were shaped like onions and everyone’s favorite soup was made of beets.

Read more on Literature

His face was beet red and, judging from his tone of voice, he was in a foul mood, but otherwise he seemed unharmed.

Read more on Literature

Betaine is a small molecule found in foods like beets and spinach, but the body also makes it on its own.

Read more on Science Daily

I’ll load a basket with waxy yellow potatoes still matte with soil, dark cherry preserves, that last jar of golden pickled beets.

Read more on Salon

"Once upon a time potatoes and sugar beet weren't grown here and now they're one of the main crops in the area," said Sarah-Jane Taylor.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• chard