brussels sprout

noun

brus·​sels sprout ˈbrə-səl- 

variants or Brussels sprout

plural brussels sprouts or Brussels sprouts

1

: a plant (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) related to the cabbage and cauliflower that is cultivated for its edible small roundish green buds which are borne on its stem and resemble miniature cabbages

2

: any of the edible green buds that are borne on the stems of brussels sprouts, consist of tightly overlapping immature leaves, and are typically cooked as a vegetable

Illustration of brussels sprout

• brussels sprout 1

Examples of brussels sprout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The straight blade is excellent for shaving veggies for salad, particularly radishes, brussels sprouts, or fennel. —Wilder Davies, Bon Appétit, 23 Jan. 2025

But please leave tuna, brussels sprouts, and other stinky food at home. —Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2025

In a sweet series of videos shared to his Instagram Stories, Harris showed off the family of four's dinner, which featured delicious-looking lamb chops, crabs, brussels sprouts, a mushroom tart and cheesy potato dauphinoise. —Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024

Brassica vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and cabbage, could also promote this process, called trans-isomerization: when healthy unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) turn into unhealthy trans fatty acids (TFAs). —Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

brussels sprout

noun

brus·​sels sprout ˌbrəs-əl- 

often capitalized B

: one of the edible small green heads that grow on the stem of a plant related to the cabbage

also : this plant