asparagus

noun

as·​par·​a·​gus ə-ˈsper-ə-gəs 

-ˈspa-rə-

plural asparagus

: any of a genus (Asparagus of the family Asparagaceae, the asparagus family) of Old World perennial plants having much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow usually filiform branchlets that function as leaves

especially : one (A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its edible young shoots

Illustration of asparagus

Examples of asparagus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pro tip: The farm also has fresh asparagus and heirloom leaf lettuce available through early May. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024

Wild asparagus can be found across the U.S., mostly in rural areas. —Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024

With starters like asparagus with yuzu-miso béarnaise, Camelia’s menu will blend influences from the duo’s travels to Japan and Namba’s fine dining background. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 28 Mar. 2024

In contrast, barely half the land devoted to specialty crops — supermarket staples like strawberries, apples, asparagus and peaches — was insured in 2022, federal statistics show. —Patrick Cooley, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Across the state, there are 10,000 acres dedicated to asparagus. —Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024

Park said her favorite roll on the menu is the Olive Garden, a vegan roll filled with avocado, cucumber, pickled radish, seaweed salad and asparagus in soy paper. —Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024

For starters, order a garden pea vichyssoise (soup), endive and asparagus salad or oeufs en meurette (a French poached egg dish). —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2024

The recipe makes the most of seasonal produce like asparagus and peas to create a market-fresh main brightened with lemon zest and dill. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, asparagus plant, from Greek asparagos; perhaps akin to Greek spargan to swell

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

asparagus

noun

as·​par·​a·​gus ə-ˈspar-ə-gəs 

: a tall branching long-lived herb related to the lilies and widely grown for its thick edible young shoots

Medical Definition

asparagus

noun

as·​par·​a·​gus ə-ˈspar-ə-gəs 

1

capitalized : a genus of Old World perennial herbs (family Asparagaceae) having erect much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow filiform branchlets that function as leaves

2

a

: any plant of the genus Asparagus

especially : a plant (A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its tender edible young shoots

b

: the root of cultivated asparagus formerly used as a diuretic