rutabaga

American  

[roo-tuh-bey-guh, roo-tuh-bey-] / ˌru təˈbeɪ gə, ˈru təˌbeɪ- /

noun

1. a brassicaceous plant, Brassica napobrassica, having a yellow- or white-fleshed, edible tuber.

2. the edible tuber, a variety of turnip.

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rutabaga British  

/ ˌruːtəˈbeɪɡə /

noun

1. a Eurasian plant, Brassica napus (or B. napobrassica ), cultivated for its bulbous edible root, which is used as a vegetable and as cattle fodder: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

2. the root of this plant

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Etymology

Origin of rutabaga

1790–1800, < Swedish (dial.) rotabagge

Compare meaning

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

• rutabaga vs. turnip

Example Sentences

The scientists gave the elephants small cubes of a vegetable called a rutabaga.

From NewsForKids.net

He enhanced the meat’s flavor with a rich whiskey-shallot-ostrich broth reduction, serving wilted watercress and mashed turnips and rutabagas on the side.

From Seattle Times

I'm partial to celeriac, rutabaga, turnip, radish and the like.

From Salon

At the other end of the spectrum are the cool-season vegetables: asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, all the cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, Swiss chard, kale, leeks, lettuces, onions, parsnips, peas, radishes, spinach, rutabagas, and turnips.

From Salon

In a large bowl, mix together the meat, potatoes, rutabaga, onion and thyme until combined; you should have about 5 cups.

From Washington Post