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

Okra, eggplant, and basil: These veggies prefer cooler temperatures, says McKenzie, but sometimes even the refrigerator can be too cold for them. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025

These textured glass serving spoons are both pretty and practical; the alternating pale purple and eggplant shades are whimsical while still surprisingly versatile. —Ana Calderone, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Hurry to plant tomatoes, peppers and eggplants in the garden. 54. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025

The eggplant or chicken Parmigiana, chicken piccata and chicken Marsala platters all cost less than $20. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing eggplant

• Japanese eggplant

Rhymes for eggplant

• decant
• descant
• enchant
• explant
• implant
• preplant
• recant
• replant
• secant
• supplant
• transplant
• ant

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