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

As for the kitchen, wide counters and a central island can accommodate late-night tuna melts, casual burgers, and post-workout smoothies with extra bananas. —Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026

Apples and bananas keep for six months. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026

Eating apples and bananas several times per week was linked to the largest reduction in overall mortality risk. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 23 Feb. 2026

Countertop Produce Fresh, uncut bananas, tomatoes, citrus, and cucumbers don't need to be refrigerated and add welcome brightness and crunch to shelf-stable meals. —Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 23 Feb. 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