taste bud

American  

noun

1. one of numerous small, flask-shaped bodies, chiefly in the epithelium of the tongue, which are the end organs for the sense of taste.

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taste bud British  

noun

1. any of the elevated oval-shaped sensory end organs on the surface of the tongue, by means of which the sensation of taste is experienced

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taste bud Scientific  

/ tāst /

1. Any of numerous sense organs in most vertebrate animals that are specialized to detect taste. Taste buds are sensitive to four types of taste: sweet, sour, salty, or bitter. In land vertebrates, the taste buds are found on the surface of the tongue. Fish have taste buds all over their bodies.

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Etymology

Origin of taste bud

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

“We try to have our tastings at 11 in the morning because there’s a science where you need to be needing lunch—your taste buds need to be ready to eat,” Hernandez said.

From The Wall Street Journal

After a long winter of braises and browns, this dish felt familiar yet surprising: comforting, beige at its base, but with a spark that made my sleepy taste buds sit up.

From Salon

The kind that makes your mouth pucker and your tongue go numb from all the acids decimating your taste buds.

From Salon

Just a little something to tickle my fickle taste buds.

From Salon

"This is just the beginning of research to create climate resilient fruit and create a fruit that is acceptable to the Indian taste bud."

From BBC