potato

noun

po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtā-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce potato (audio)
-tə,
 dialectal  pə-ˈdā-,
bə- How to pronounce potato (audio)
plural potatoes
often attributive
1
2
a
: an erect South American herb (Solanum tuberosum) of the nightshade family widely cultivated for its edible starchy tuber
b
: the tuber of a potato

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato

Illustration of potato

Illustration of potato
  • potato 2a

Examples of potato in a Sentence

She's growing carrots and potatoes in her garden this year.
Recent Examples on the Web This pink-hued spin combines pickled beets, sweet pickle relish, eggs, carrots, and potatoes. Omar Tate, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2024 Parents may see veggie puffs, marketed as a healthy alternative to sugar-laden snacks, as a way to make foods like beets, carrots, potatoes and tomatoes palatable for kids. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 June 2024 It’s served with peas, carrots, corn, potatoes and choice of rice. Maddie Ellis, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2024 Following the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a plated meal with a menu featuring a summer strawberry salad, orange glazed chicken, vegetables and mashed potatoes. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 27 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for potato 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potato.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish batata, from Taino

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of potato was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near potato

Cite this Entry

“Potato.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potato. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

potato

noun
po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtāt-ō How to pronounce potato (audio) pət-ˈāt- How to pronounce potato (audio)
plural potatoes
1
2
a
: an erect South American herb widely cultivated for its thick starchy edible underground tubers
b
: one of these edible tubers

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato

More from Merriam-Webster on potato

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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