Chinese cabbage

noun

: either of two Asian brassicas now grown in the U.S. and widely used as greens:

a

: bok choy

b

: one (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) that forms elongate more or less solid cylindrical heads and has pale green or cream-colored leaves

Examples of Chinese cabbage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For central Maryland, mid-March is a good time to direct-sow (planting the seed outside, rather than starting them indoors first) Chinese cabbage, leaf lettuce, peas, radishes, beets, spinach, and turnips. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2025

There are more than 400 varieties of cabbage, but green cabbage, red (purple) cabbage, and napa cabbage (also known as Chinese cabbage) are the most popular. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025

Other members of the cabbage family, including broccoli and Chinese cabbage, also benefit from the pairing. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 17 July 2024

With a total of 100 points, the winner in the ranking of the healthiest foods even beats Chinese cabbage (91.99 points), Swiss chard (89.27 points), beetroot (87.08 points), and also spinach (86.43 points). —Philipp Wehsack, Vogue, 1 Aug. 2023

On the plant side of the equation, a study in a 2003 issue of the journal Ultrasonics investigated the effects of classical music and the sounds of birds, insects and water on the growth of Chinese cabbage and cucumber. —Stacey Colino, Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2023

Columbia and Snake River Valleys, Ontario: Plant Chinese cabbage and endive. —oregonlive, 1 Aug. 2022

Looking out across the depleted aisle, Ms. Ma was only able to secure some asparagus, Chinese cabbage and sweet potato. —Jonathan Cheng, WSJ, 25 Apr. 2022

Since 2015, astronauts have been growing or cultivating plants like romaine lettuce, zinnias, and Chinese cabbage. —Asha C. Gilbert, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Chinese cabbage

noun

: either of two Asian garden plants related to the cabbage and widely used as green leafy vegetables