radish

American  

[rad-ish] / ˈræd ɪʃ /

noun

radishes plural

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

Derived Forms

• radishlike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• radishes
  plural

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 greens are a delicacy in Bengali cuisine.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2025

But first, we would meet at Fancy Radish for drinks and have their vegan fondue — I have no idea how they make it, but you would think you’re eating melted cheese.

From Washington Post • May 16, 2022

Orange Radish Salad Serves 2 Don’t dress the radishes in advance; they lose their crispness within an hour of dressing.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 11, 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

Flowers pink or white from the first Radish, Raphanus sativus. 40b.

From The Plants of Michigan Simple Keys for the Identification of the Native Seed Plants of the State by Gleason, Henry Allan