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

The golden age of voyages on board tramp steamers and banana boats was the first half of the 20th century. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

The person runs their fingers over the camera twice, then eats a banana through the mask before walking away. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

In a medium bowl combine one of the eggs, the 3/4 cup brown sugar, the oil, sour cream, and vanilla; stir in mashed bananas. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2026

According to pear grower Lisa Perry, pears are like avocados and bananas. — Molly Allen, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 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