tomato

American  

[tuh-mey-toh, -mah-] / təˈmeɪ toʊ, -ˈmɑ- /

noun

• tomatoes
  plural

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Lycopersicon, of the nightshade family, native to Mexico and Central and South America, especially the widely cultivated species L. lycopersicum, bearing a mildly acid, pulpy, usually red fruit eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable.

2. the fruit itself.

3. Older Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a girl or woman.

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tomato British  

/ təˈmɑːtəʊ /

noun

1. a solanaceous plant, Lycopersicon (or Lycopersicum ) esculentum, of South America, widely cultivated for its red fleshy many-seeded edible fruits

2. the fruit of this plant, which has slightly acid-tasting flesh and is eaten in salads, as a vegetable, etc

3. slang a girl or woman

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Usage

What is a tomato? A tomato is a pulpy fruit from the genus Lycopersicon, usually eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable. Culturally, tomatoes are most often enjoyed as a vegetable, but they are botanically classified as a fruit because the tomato is a developed ovary of a seed plant. Scientifically, they are classified as a berry because the tomato develops from a single flower and does not contain a pit. There are several species of tomato. Most are native to Central and South America, with many species being farmed in Mexico. The most common tomato purchased and eaten is the L. lycopersicum, also known as the garden tomato. As it grows, the color of its skin changes from green to dark red and is commonly used for food products like ketchup, tomato sauce, and soups. Other types of tomatoes include cherry tomatoes or Lycopersicon esculentum, named for their small, red appearance similar to a cherry. Currant tomatoes, or Solanum pimpinellifolium, are known for their small size and sweet flavor, while beefsteak tomatoes, or Solanum lycopersicum, grow to be very large and have ridges similar to a pumpkin or gourd. Heirloom tomatoes, which are non-hybrids, come in a variety of sizes and colorsExample: Guinea pigs love cherry tomatoes because they are small and sweet.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• tomatoes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of tomato

1595–1605; 1915–20 tomato for def. 3; earlier tomate < Spanish < Nahuatl tomatl

Compare meaning

How does tomato compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• tomatillo vs. tomato

Explanation

Although usually called a vegetable and eaten as such, the tomato is actually a fruit that can be eaten raw or cooked. It might be red or yellow in various sizes, and comes in shapes from round to pear-shaped. Since the tomato is native to South America, it makes sense that its name is based in the Spanish tomate, and can be traced to the Aztecs, whose language, Nahuatl, contained the word tomatl, or "the swelling fruit." In 1519, Cortez brought tomato seeds to Spain, where the plant was grown as an ornament but not for eating. The French called them pommes d'amour, or “love apples,” and in 1929 the word became American slang for a pretty girl.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tomato tomatoes

Jason Brasher, an innovation manager at Mizkan America, which makes Ragu and Bertolli tomato sauce, said consumer-goods manufacturers are trying to stay ahead with research and development that leads to new products.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

The economy of the state, with 3 million inhabitants and significant corn and tomato crops, has declined due to the violence.

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

My oldest, who is 14, ducks behind our raised garden beds, where orange marigolds and sprawling tomato branches shield her from his view.

From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026

A sausage-and-pepper meal starter eliminates most of the chopping; canned tomatoes provide the sauce’s backbone; and a few spoonfuls of prepared sun-dried tomato pesto pull everything into focus.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

It was a rich tomato stew flavored with strange spices—and full of chicken!

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Employees bake bread fresh every morning and slice hefty portions of meat and cheese to order before finishing them “Mike’s Way,” with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, red wine vinegar, oil and spices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

A handful of sellers gather in front of the burnt-out shell offering tomatoes, cheese and cured meets on makeshift tables.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

Keep foods like dried and canned beans, canned tomatoes, tinned fish, olive oil, and a variety of whole grains on hand so you always have something to cook with.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 16, 2026

Then I made a beeline for the heirloom tomatoes.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

She smelled egusi soup brewing—thick with onions, tomatoes, and fresh peppers—alongside jollof rice and banku.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

• bunny
• dish