root crop

American  

noun

1. a crop, as beets, turnips, or sweet potatoes, grown for its large and edible undergound parts.

---

root crop British  

noun

1. a crop, as of turnips or beets, cultivated for the food value of its roots

---

Etymology

Origin of root crop

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

root crop

“In many ways, turnips are the unsung heroes of the root crop universe,” Waxman writes.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 19, 2017

The next year he planted a root crop, such as turnips, to restore nutrients.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012

None of the scientists had an answer but someone suggested putting the root crop through a molecular spectroscope to break down its chemical composition.

From Time Magazine Archive

Many centuries ago, however, a new root crop of ultimately South American origin, the sweet potato, reached New Guinea, probably by way of the Philippines, where it had been introduced by Spaniards.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

From Idaho, on the blight on the root crop: they say there will soon not be a hog left in Idaho.

From Further Foolishness by Stephen Leacock