cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r  ˈkä- 

-lē-

often attributive

: a garden plant (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers

also : its flower cluster used as a vegetable

Examples of cauliflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, travelers pressed for time can grab everything from water and coffee to a fruit cup, cauliflower wrap, or a white bean chickpea salad. —Ryan Slattery, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2025

Found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, goitrogens can inhibit iodine absorption, which can cause issues for those with thyroid conditions.10 Protease inhibitors. —Christina Manian, Health, 15 Feb. 2025

Swapping your side dish of potatoes or rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice at dinner. —Heather Sandison, Contributor, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025

Romanesco broccoli: Very similar to cauliflower, but the floral buds are more clearly visible. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian cavolfiore, from cavolo cabbage (from Late Latin caulus, from Latin caulis stem, cabbage) + fiore flower, from Latin flor-, flos — more at cole, blow

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cauliflower

• cauliflower ear

Rhymes for cauliflower

• candlepower
• overpower
• superpower
• vavasour
• waterpower
• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower

Kids Definition

cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a garden plant closely related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers