banana

noun

ba·​nana bə-ˈna-nə How to pronounce banana (audio)
 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

Illustration of banana
  • banana 2

Examples of banana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Tip: Try blending a scoop of this powder along with a cup of iced coffee, half a banana, and ice for a tasty yet healthy take on a Frappuccino. April Benshosan, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 As Bella Baxter, a girl-woman coming into consciousness with reckless abandon and insatiable intellectual curiosity, Stone delivered perhaps the bravest — and most bananas — turn of her career. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Then bananas, which are 4.6% more expensive in the past four years. Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2024 Playing an extra at a diner, Scorsese asked Laura to eat a banana ice cream cone in the scene — and then shot it 19 times. Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 Their lump rice wrapped in a banana leaf is the stuff dreams are made of. Kathryn Shattuck, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 One of its most popular concoctions is The Original, made with organic açaí layered with peanut butter, banana and granola. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 And two table spoons of maple syrup equal the same potassium of a banana. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 Options include apple, banana, blueberry, strawberry and chocolate chip pancakes. Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'banana.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of banana was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near banana

Cite this Entry

“Banana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banana. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

banana

noun
ba·​nana bə-ˈnan-ə How to pronounce banana (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on banana

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