turnip

American  

[tur-nip] / ˈtɜr nɪp /

noun

turnips plural

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 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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• turniplike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• turnips
  plural

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

Explanation

A turnip is a slightly bitter-flavored root vegetable. In Japan, it's common to pickle turnips and serve them as a cold snack or in a stir fry with other vegetables. You can recognize a turnip by its roundish shape and its white color, often accented at the top by pink or purple. Turnips also have green leaves that can be cooked and eaten. Some people also call rutabagas turnips, although these are actually a cross between a turnip and cabbage. Experts think the turn part of turnip stems from the idea that it looks like it's been turned, or rotated and shaped, on a lathe.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

turnip turnips

About all he can tell us of daily life in the 16th century is that Muscovites loved turnip pie, had few chairs, and that glass was not to be had.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026

Boonthom had noticed her packing the harvested fruit — a turnip variety Yo describes as a “cross between a potato and an apple” — and had been love-struck.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2023

Historically, the word "turnip" didn't only refer to the round purple root, but root vegetables of various shapes, colors and sizes.

From Salon ● Mar. 30, 2023

Mom’s Kitchen, located in the once-safe neighborhood where Norris grew up, is a casual place serving baked chicken, turnip greens and candied sweet potatoes.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 26, 2023

I stubbed my toe and near cut off my finger whilst peeling an old, tough turnip.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson

In the 19th century, children gobbled chiles and mutton and turnips and jellied pig’s brain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 20, 2026

Yes, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer tucked in a bib and tucked into the haggis, accompanied by neeps and tatties, cute Scottish names for turnips and potatoes, mashed and buttered.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2025

One field had already been too wet to drill and plant the normal winter crop after the autumn's heavy rainfall; the second had stubble turnips planted, which a neighbour's sheep grazed.

From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2024

We also had a garden that produced most of the seasonal vegetables, legumes, potatoes and turnips, wheat, corn and fruits.

From Salon ● May 26, 2023

It’s like delicious keema ruined by something bitter like turnips.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan