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

According to Ansari, bananas also offer micronutrients like vitamin C and antioxidant compounds and provide fiber that boosts gut health. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 5 Dec. 2025

On one cleanup, Thomas and an elementary student found a banana peel on the ground. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Dec. 2025

The list of water sports includes pedal kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, banana boat rides, boating, and Jet Skiing. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025

The blueberry and banana-nut flavors are equally good. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025

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