turnip

noun

tur·​nip ˈtər-nəp 

1

a

: either of two biennial herbs of the mustard family with thick edible roots:

(1)

: one (Brassica rapa var. rapa) with globular often flattened roots and leaves that are cooked as a vegetable

(2)

: rutabaga

b

: the root of a turnip

2

: a large pocket watch

Examples of turnip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adding parsnips and turnips to the recipe gives the dish a subtle earthy flavor that perfectly complements the savory chicken. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025

Highlights here include handmade pork and shrimp siu mai, Cantonese sticky rice with pork and mushrooms, turnip cake, barbecue pork buns, soup dumplings and shrimp rice rolls. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025

Rutabaga Rutabaga is a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 23 Oct. 2025

Raw turnips can also be grated and used as a garnish. —Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

tur-, perhaps from turn entry 1 (in the sense "shape into a rounded form by means of a lathe") + nip, reduced form of neep

Note: The word is first attested in the plural turnepez in a list of root vegetables appended to a collection of recipes (MS. British Library Sloane 1201; see Alicia Amherst, A History of Gardening in England, 3rd edition, New York, 1910, p. 68); the Middle English Dictionary dates it "about 1500." Compare parsnip.

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

turnip

noun

tur·​nip ˈtər-nəp 

1

: either of two herbs related to cabbage with thick edible roots:

a

: one with usually white roundish roots and leaves that are cooked as a vegetable when young and tender

b

: rutabaga

2

: the root of a turnip