potato

noun

po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtā-(ˌ)tō 

-tə

dialectal pə-ˈdā-, 

bə- 

plural potatoes

often attributive

1

: sweet potato

2

a

: an erect South American herb (Solanum tuberosum) of the nightshade family widely cultivated for its edible starchy tuber

b

: the tuber of a potato

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato

Illustration of potato

• potato 2a

Examples of potato in a Sentence

She's growing carrots and potatoes in her garden this year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Under a large rock, thousands of pounds of marijuana wrapped in Saran Wrap were stuffed in potato sacks. —Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 13 Dec. 2025

For decades, in Newland, North Carolina, Waightstill Avery III has grown Fraser firs on his family farm, along with other crops like corn and potatoes. —Chelsea Torres, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025

Using two types of potatoes ensures that this potato soup is overflowing with soothing flavors and textures. —Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2025

Side and dessert options include macaroni and cheese, potato wedges, white beans, collard greens, banana pudding, cookies and more. —Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish batata, from Taino

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing potato

• Colorado potato beetle
• couch potato
• fingerling potato
• hot potato
• Irish potato
• jacket potato
• mouse potato
• new potato
• potato beetle
• potato blight
• potato bug
• potato chip
• potato crisp
• potato leafhopper
• potato pancake
• potato tuberworm
• seed potato
• small potato
• sweet potato
• white potato

Rhymes for potato

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

potato

noun

po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtāt-ō  pət-ˈāt- 

plural potatoes

1

: sweet potato sense 1

2

a

: an erect South American herb widely cultivated for its thick starchy edible underground tubers

b

: one of these edible tubers

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato