To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of Abyssinian banana
: a perennial plant (Ensete ventricosum) native to eastern Africa that has very large, paddle-shaped leaves and inedible fruits resembling small bananas and that is often grown in warm regions as an ornamental
Note: The leaves of the Abyssinian banana can reach a length of 20 feet (6 meters) and the leaf stalks are an important source of dietary starch in Africa. It was formerly classified in the same genus (Musa) as the banana.
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on Abyssinian banana
What made you want to look up Abyssinian banana? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share Abyssinian banana
Time Traveler for Abyssinian banana
The first known use of Abyssinian banana was in 1859
See more words from the same year