carrot

noun

car·​rot ˈker-ət 

ˈka-rət

1

: a biennial herb (Daucus carota of the family Apiaceae synonym Umbelliferae, the carrot family) with a usually orange spindle-shaped edible root

also : its root

2

: a reward or advantage offered especially as an inducement

The company offered a carrot in the form of additional vacation time to workers who met their deadlines.

Examples of carrot in a Sentence

She chopped some carrots for the soup.

He added some grated carrot to the soup.

The company offered a carrot in the form of additional vacation time to workers who met their deadlines.

Recent Examples on the Web

The ones that come in the punchiest colors—dark leafy greens, berries, apples, tomatoes, carrots—are especially loaded with phytochemicals (a.k.a. plant chemicals) like polyphenols and carotenoids, which are powerhouse antioxidants. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Dec. 2024

But Beijing will counter with offers of investment pledges, technology partnerships in areas where Chinese firms lead (such as electric vehicles), tax incentives, tariff reductions, visa exemptions, relief from export controls, and other carrots. —Daniel H. Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024

Most carrot varieties require pots that are at least 12 inches deep for proper root development, but varieties like ‘Parisienne,’ ‘Oxheart,’ and ‘Chantenay’ can be kept in slightly shorter containers. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024

Beets, radishes, fennel, and carrots add color, crunch, and delicious flavor to brunch, lunch, or dinner. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French carotte, from Late Latin carota, from Greek karōton

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing carrot

• carrot-and-stick
• carrot cake
• wild carrot

Kids Definition

carrot

noun

car·​rot ˈkar-ət 

: the long orange edible root of a common garden plant that is eaten as a vegetable

also : a plant that produces a carrot

Medical Definition

carrot

noun

car·​rot ˈkar-ət 

: a biennial plant of the genus Daucus (D. carota) that bears seeds which have been used especially as a diuretic and stimulant and that in cultivated varieties has a yellow or orange-red tapering root which is used as a vegetable

also : its root