eggplant

noun

egg·​plant ˈeg-ˌplant 

ˈāg-

1

a

: a widely cultivated perennial Asian herb (Solanum melongena) of the nightshade family yielding edible fruit

b

: the usually smooth ovoid typically blackish-purple or white fruit of the eggplant

2

: a dark grayish or blackish purple

Examples of eggplant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Or how about one-bite eggplants, personal-sized spaghetti squash, miniature bell peppers (red, orange, and chocolate brown varieties), Tom Thumb lettuce, four-inch diameter cabbages, four-inch long Japanese Hulless ears of corn, pinkie finger sized carrots, and golf ball sized beets. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025

Most vegetables may help lower the risk of inflammation, but nightshade vegetables (eggplant, potatoes, and peppers) may promote inflammation in the digestive tract and joints. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 3 Feb. 2025

This pureed spread is tangy and bright with a good amount of garlic that doesn’t overpower the eggplant and sweet red peppers. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2025

Choice of baked eggplant Napoleon, blackened sea scallops or beef short rib cannelloni. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing eggplant

• Japanese eggplant

Kids Definition

eggplant

noun

egg·​plant -ˌplant 

1

: a widely cultivated herb that is related to the potato and yields edible fruit

2

: the usually glossy blackish purple egg-shaped fruit of an eggplant