banana

noun

ba·​nana bə-ˈna-nə 

especially British -ˈnä-

1

: an elongated usually tapering tropical fruit with soft pulpy flesh enclosed in a soft usually yellow rind

a bunch of bananas

slipped on a banana peel

2

: any of several widely cultivated perennial often treelike herbs (genus Musa of the family Musaceae, the banana family) bearing bananas in compact pendent bunches

Illustration of banana

• banana 2

Examples of banana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For an especially nutritious, calorie-dense treat, try making a chocolate peanut butter smoothie—blend 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, a scoop of chocolate protein powder, and a frozen banana. — Caitlin Beale, Health, 17 July 2026

The best sources for prebiotic foods are onions, garlic, leeks, bananas, apples, oats and beans. — Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Following a complaint, the Chicago Department of Public Health inspected the popular Loop bakery on Monday, which is widely known for its banana pudding cups and pastel-frosted cupcakes. — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

My daughter’s banana pancakes also brought back memories, and the multi-level patio, which sports a sizeable koi pond, lots of greenery and even a few sculptures, feels like an oasis in the middle of the city. — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish or Portuguese; Spanish, from Portuguese, of African origin; akin to Wolof banaana banana

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing banana

• banana bread
• banana clip
• banana oil
• banana pepper
• banana republic
• banana seat
• banana split
• second banana
• slip on a banana skin/peel
• top banana

Rhymes for banana

• arana
• arcana
• bandana
• bandanna
• brahmana
• cabana
• campana
• diana
• fianna
• hosanna
• hyaena
• lantana

Kids Definition

banana

noun

ba·​nana bə-ˈnan-ə 

: a treelike tropical plant with large leaves and flower clusters that develop into a bunch of finger-shaped fruit which are usually yellow when ripe

also : its fruit