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

They’re wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks, are flatter and more rectangular in shape, and are about three times the size of the kind traditionally steamed in corn husks (perfect for sharing). —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 24 Aug. 2025

Similar to a tomato sandwich, the most basic of banana sandwiches call for just soft white bread, banana slices, and mayonnaise. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025

Whole-grain toast with peanut butter and sliced bananas is loaded with nutrients and feels like a satisfying snack. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 21 Aug. 2025

Increase the amount of potassium—found in foods such as bananas, apricots, and lentils—in your diet. —Laura Schober, Health, 20 Aug. 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