radish

American  

[rad-ish] / ˈræd ɪʃ /

noun

1. the crisp, pungent, edible root of the plant, Raphanus sativus, of the mustard family, usually eaten raw.

2. the plant itself.

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radish British  

/ ˈrædɪʃ /

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Raphanus , esp R. sativus of Europe and Asia, cultivated for its edible root: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

2. the root of this plant, which has a pungent taste and is eaten raw in salads

3. another name for white charlock See charlock

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Other Word Forms

• radishlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of radish

before 1000; late Middle English radish ( e ), variant (compare Old French radise, variant of radice ) of Middle English radich ( e ), Old English rǣdic < Latin rādīc- (stem of rādīx root ¹ ); compare Old High German rātih, German Rettich

Explanation

That slightly bitter, crunchy vegetable you pulled out of the garden bed is a radish. Many people love to eat sliced radishes on salads or buttered toast. Even gardeners who don't love the taste of radishes like to grow them alongside other plants, since their strong scent is a natural insect repellant. While these root vegetables come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, the most common type of radish is small, round, and red or dark pink. The root word of radish simply (and aptly) means "root."

Example Sentences

Radish dusted with furikake get an umami boost.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2025

Stir-Fry Radish With Crab is another stovetop option.

From Washington Post • Aug. 22, 2022

Small but highly regarded places, like the Fat Radish and Porsena, and pedigreed restaurants, including Augustine from Keith McNally and Uncle Boons, have no plans to reopen.

From New York Times • Aug. 18, 2020

Radish tops are spicy and edible too; Eric Tomassini of Avenue 33 Farm in Lincoln Heights recommends Rover, Crunchy King and Pearl varieties for their heat tolerance.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2020

The Large Purple Winter Radish is a beautiful variety, derived, without doubt, from the Black Spanish; and may therefore be properly called the Purple Spanish.

From The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Containing Full Descriptions of Nearly Eleven Hundred Species and Varietes; With Directions for Propagation, Culture and Use. by Burr, Fearing