cruciferous

American  

[kroo-sif-er-uhs] / kruˈsɪf ər əs /

adjective

1. bearing a cross.

2. Botany. belonging to the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae), the mustard family of plants; brassicaceous.

   Are you getting enough broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables in your diet?

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cruciferous British  

/ kruːˈsɪfərəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the plant family Cruciferae See crucifer

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Etymology

Origin of cruciferous

From Late Latin crucifer + -ous; cruciferous def. 1 was first recorded in 1650–60; cruciferous def. 2 in 1850–55; crucifer, -ous

Example Sentences

There’s cabbage and brussels sprouts — cruciferous veggies that are divine pickled.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026

Rich dietary sources include eggs, poultry, fish, beans and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025

The broccoli rabe was turned into a kind of cruciferous pesto.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025

A recent scientific publication has come out noting that there is a relationship between the intake of cruciferous vegetables—a large group that includes everything from broccoli to bok choi—and a reduced risk of colon cancer.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2025

It may be easily recognized by its tiny white cruciferous flowers and its shapely little triangular, flat pods, which have a peppery taste.

From The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits by Parsons, Mary Elizabeth