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

“Did you know that was going to happen? Did you know I was about to sear away all my taste buds? You should have warned me!”

From Literature

They can help your gut, your blood pressure, your cholesterol—and your taste buds.

From The Wall Street Journal

I’d say it depends on the dish — and leave the rest to your personal taste buds.

From Salon

Kim White, Levon’s mother, said she didn’t try sushi until she was an adult, and is amazed by her kids’ taste buds.

From The Wall Street Journal

“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