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

Historic banana plantation buildings and the region’s striking natural landscapes—such as African palm fields—will also provide the backdrop to this drama. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 26 June 2025

There are way more flavors today, including watermelon, banana fudge, Jolly Ranchers, Extra Sour Tear Jerkers and Hawaiian Punch. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025

Use a paper bag: Place the whole pineapple into a large paper bag, along with a banana or apple. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 June 2025

Millions of people are going through life eating bananas, not knowing that their blood sugar is rising with every bite. —Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 19 June 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