okra

[oh-kruh]

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.

okra

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of okra¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of okra¹

C18: of W African origin

Example Sentences

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.

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Atlanta-based entrepreneur Tamara Lucas recently started her own garden in her backyard to keep a lid on rising costs, growing okra, kale and broccoli to help feed her two teenage boys.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"We would be growing tomatoes, potatoes, cabbages and okra and then – at the end of the season – they would push it all into a big hole and bury it," he added.

Read more on BBC

I have a special place in my heart for home cooked fried okra.

Read more on Salon