cauliflower

American  

[kaw-luh-flou-er, -lee-, kol-uh-, kol-ee-] / ˈkɔ ləˌflaʊ ər, -li-, ˈkɒl ə-, ˈkɒl i- /

noun

1. a form of cultivated plant, Brassica oleracea botrytis, of the mustard family, whose inflorescence forms a compact, usually whitish head.

2. this head, used as a vegetable.

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cauliflower British  

/ ˈkɒlɪˌflaʊə /

noun

1. a variety of cabbage, Brassica oleracea botrytis, having a large edible head of crowded white flowers on a very short thick stem

2. the flower head of this plant, used as a vegetable

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Etymology

Origin of cauliflower

1590–1600; < Latin cauli ( s ) cole + flower; replacing coleflorie < Italian ca ( v ) olfiore, equivalent to cavol cole + fiore < Latin flōri- (stem of flōs ) flower

Example Sentences

Foods rich in soluble fiber include many fruits and vegetables, such as apples, avocados, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

Cabbage has long been forgotten among its cruciferous counterparts — broccoli, cauliflower and kohlrabi.

From Salon • Feb. 21, 2026

The company’s menu currently has a handful of different wings, including bone-in and boneless and one made of cauliflower.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Araceli, seen at 16, has planted lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli in the Santa Maria Valley.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

"Maddy, sweetheart, eat your cauliflower," Momly's exhausted voice slid between me and Uncle Tony's.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds