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

Meanwhile, break the cauliflower into small florets, halving or quartering the larger ones, and rinse well. —Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026

Some other great ways to use it include thinning it with lemon juice and water for a salad dressing, drizzling it over roasted cauliflower or sweet potato, swirling it into a savory oatmeal, or using it as the base for noodle sauces. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 15 June 2026

According to the brand's website, the earrings were designed to look like a head of cauliflower, and each pearl on the earrings features its own small diamond at the center surrounded by gold. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 13 June 2026

Store cauliflower in the refrigerator in its original packaging or a loose plastic bag and avoid washing until ready to use to prolong freshness. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 11 June 2026

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
• Romanesco cauliflower

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