okra

American  

[oh-kruh] / ˈoʊ krə /

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.

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okra British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of okra

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

okra

Anik African Store has brought a small corner of Nigeria to the Scottish town, selling yams, plantain, okra and catfish.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

Thornton made salmon and fried okra with spicy hummus with Hunter Fieri.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2026

Her Swiss chard and okra stew makes a delicious main course served over polenta, while her coconut fish curry evokes the country’s long coast.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026

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.

From Barron's ● Oct. 31, 2025

Lots of okra and dried beans, and, since it was September, berries of every kind.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison

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