beet

noun

ˈbēt 

: a biennial garden plant (Beta vulgaris) of the amaranth family that includes several cultivars (such as Swiss chard and sugar beet) and that has thick edible leaves with long petioles and often swollen purplish-red roots

also : its root used especially as a vegetable, as a source of sugar, or for forage

Examples of beet in a Sentence

I've planted carrots, parsnips, and beets in the garden.

Recent Examples on the Web

Root vegetables, like radishes and beets, and row crops, like beans and corn, simply don’t transplant well. —Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026

However, beets provide more fiber, folate, and potassium that support heart health and digestion, while radishes are higher in vitamin C and vitamin K for immune and bone support. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2026

Curries, chili, beet dishes, and foods with turmeric or paprika can stain containers and leave behind odors even after thorough washing. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026

Arugula, beets, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, fennel, kale, pumpkin, radish, rutabaga, squash, Swiss chard, tomato, turnips, and watermelon can be stored for up to four years. —Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bete, from Old English bēte, from Latin beta

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing beet

• beet armyworm
• beet leafhopper
• beet red
• red as a beet
• sugar beet

Rhymes for beet

• beat
• bleat
• cheat
• cleat
• creat
• deet
• eat
• feat
• feet
• fleet
• greet
• heat

Kids Definition

beet

noun

ˈbēt 

: a garden plant with thick long-stalked edible leaves and usually an enlarged purplish red root used as a vegetable, as a source of sugar, or as food for livestock

also : this root