artichoke

noun

ar·​ti·​choke ˈär-tə-ˌchōk 

1

: a tall Mediterranean composite herb (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus synonym C. scolymus) resembling a thistle with coarse pinnately incised leaves

also : its edible immature flower head which is cooked as a vegetable

2

: jerusalem artichoke

Examples of artichoke in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For spring, asparagus, artichokes, peas, spring onions, radishes and bok choy are all in peak form, and several overlap with the Clean Fifteen. —Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026

Spring 2026 picks include asparagus, artichokes, peas, spring onions, radishes and bok choy — several of which appear on the Clean Fifteen. —Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026

Arrange artichokes and asparagus over (some filling will be exposed). —Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026

In the kitchen, that means a shift toward lighter vegetable-forward dishes that make the most of the season’s harvest, including asparagus, artichokes, rhubarb and peas. —Victoria Caruso, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian dialect articiocco, ultimately from Arabic al-khurshūf the artichoke

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing artichoke

• globe artichoke
• Jerusalem artichoke

Rhymes for artichoke

• nanticoke
• womenfolk
• awoke
• baroque
• bespoke
• colloque
• convoke
• evoke
• invoke
• keystroke
• kinfolk
• kinsfolk

Kids Definition

artichoke

noun

ar·​ti·​choke ˈärt-ə-ˌchōk 

: a tall plant related to the daisies and having a flower head which is cooked and eaten as a vegetable