turnip

American  

[tur-nip] / ˈtɜr nɪp /

noun

1. the thick, fleshy, edible root of either of two plants of the mustard family, the white-fleshed Brassica rapa rapifera or the yellow-fleshed rutabaga.

2. the plant itself.

3. the root of this plant used as a vegetable.

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turnip British  

/ ˈtɜːnɪp /

noun

1. a widely cultivated plant, Brassica rapa , of the Mediterranean region, with a large yellow or white edible root: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

2. the root of this plant, which is eaten as a vegetable

3. any of several similar or related plants

4. another name for kohlrabi

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Other Word Forms

• turniplike adjective

Etymology

Origin of turnip

1525–35; earlier turnep(e) , equivalent to turn (with reference to its neatly rounded shape) + nepe neep

Compare meaning

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

• rutabaga vs. turnip

Example Sentences

The winner takes home a turnip impaled on a rusty six inch nail in a block of wood as a trophy and a blue plaque.

From BBC

The tulip bulbs had been homely as turnips when planted, but a winter spent underground had worked its magic.

From Literature

“These are nothing more than knobby, ugly, dirty turnips. I asked for beautiful and frightfully expensive tulips.”

From Literature

Somehow a turnip found its way from Cassiopeia’s plate to Alexander’s.

From Literature

Most convicts had been found guilty of theft, with many being repeat offenders, but some were deported for crimes as petty as trampling on the turnips of the local aristocracy.

From BBC