turnip

[tur-nip]

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.

turnip

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• turniplike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of turnip¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of turnip¹

C16: from earlier turnepe , perhaps from _turn (indicating its rounded shape) + nepe , from Latin nāpus turnip; see _neep

Example Sentences

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

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

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With relief, Penelope saw the boys resist the urge to toss their turnips in the air, as they were accustomed to doing with the peas.

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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.

Read more on BBC

Roots and vegetables are natural fits: turnips, parsnips, cauliflower, mushrooms, roasted eggplant, fennel, sunchokes.

Read more on Salon