potato

noun

po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtā-(ˌ)tō 

-tə

dialectal pə-ˈdā-, 

bə- 

plural potatoes

often attributive

1

: sweet potato

2

a

: an erect South American herb (Solanum tuberosum) of the nightshade family widely cultivated for its edible starchy tuber

b

: the tuber of a potato

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato

Illustration of potato

• potato 2a

Examples of potato in a Sentence

She's growing carrots and potatoes in her garden this year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Microwave potato on a microwave-proof plate on high 5 minutes. — Kelsey Jane Youngman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

In the evening, the low-slung space fills with locals seeking Liebster's famous tiny hasselback potatoes topped with trout roe, and buttery brioche with Parmesan cream, mortadella and clams. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

No more Styrofoam plates with just potato salad, ranch beans and slaw. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

Stir in the milk, heavy cream, potatoes, and broccoli and season again with another pinch or two of salt and pepper. — ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish batata, from Taino

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing potato

• Colorado potato beetle
• couch potato
• fingerling potato
• hot potato
• Irish potato
• jacket potato
• mouse potato
• new potato
• potato beetle
• potato blight
• potato bug
• potato chip
• potato crisp
• potato leafhopper
• potato pancake
• potato tuberworm
• seed potato
• small potato
• sweet potato
• white potato

Rhymes for potato

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

potato

noun

po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtāt-ō  pət-ˈāt- 

plural potatoes

1

: sweet potato sense 1

2

a

: an erect South American herb widely cultivated for its thick starchy edible underground tubers

b

: one of these edible tubers

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato