tomato

[tuh-mey-toh, -mah-]

noun

plural

tomatoes 

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Lycopersicon, of the nightshade family, native to Mexico and Central and South America, especially the widely cultivated species L. lycopersicum, bearing a mildly acid, pulpy, usually red fruit eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable.

2. the fruit itself.

3. Older Slang: Sometimes Offensive.,  a girl or woman.

tomato

/ təˈmɑːtəʊ /

noun

1. a solanaceous plant, Lycopersicon (or Lycopersicum ) esculentum, of South America, widely cultivated for its red fleshy many-seeded edible fruits

2. the fruit of this plant, which has slightly acid-tasting flesh and is eaten in salads, as a vegetable, etc

3. slang,  a girl or woman

Word History and Origins

Origin of tomato¹

1595–1605; 1915–20 tomato for def. 3; earlier tomate < Spanish < Nahuatl tomatl

Word History and Origins

Origin of tomato¹

C17 tomate, from Spanish, from Nahuatl tomatl

Example Sentences

While herb-flecked tomatoes and cucumbers are a classic combination, Rafidi often swaps in roasted squash, pumpkin or whatever else beckons at the market once fall’s chill sets in.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For years, uneaten hot dogs and half-empty cans of tomato paste languishing in the fridge have charted a quick path to the trash in American kitchens.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Outside on one of the side streets that are full of stalls offering tourism souvenirs, like fluffy alpacas and scarves, Dina Huillca is sitting on the pavement selling roses, tomatoes and mint.

Read more on BBC

On the menu today is spaghetti served with canned vegetables and tomato sauce and flavoured with generous handfuls of spices.

Read more on BBC

The United States said Thursday that it is exempting various Brazilian agricultural goods from sharp tariffs -- including beef, coffee and tomatoes -- widening a range of exclusions from recently imposed levies.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• bunny 
• dish 

When To Use

What is a tomato?

A tomato is a pulpy fruit from the genus Lycopersicon, usually eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable.Culturally, tomatoes are most often enjoyed as a vegetable, but they are botanically classified as a fruit because the tomato is a developed ovary of a seed plant. Scientifically, they are classified as a berry because the tomato develops from a single flower and does not contain a pit.There are several species of tomato. Most are native to Central and South America, with many species being farmed in Mexico. The most common tomato purchased and eaten is the L. lycopersicum, also known as the garden tomato. As it grows, the color of its skin changes from green to dark red and is commonly used for food products like ketchup, tomato sauce, and soups.Other types of tomatoes include cherry tomatoes or Lycopersicon esculentum, named for their small, red appearance similar to a cherry. Currant tomatoes, or Solanum pimpinellifolium, are known for their small size and sweet flavor, while beefsteak tomatoes, or Solanum lycopersicum, grow to be very large and have ridges similar to a pumpkin or gourd. Heirloom tomatoes, which are non-hybrids, come in a variety of sizes and colorsExample: Guinea pigs love cherry tomatoes because they are small and sweet.