vegetable

noun

veg·​e·​ta·​ble ˈvej-tə-bəl 

ˈve-jə-, 

ˈvech-

1

: a usually herbaceous plant (such as the cabbage, bean, or potato) grown for an edible part that is usually eaten as part of a meal

also : such an edible part

2

: plant sense 1b

3

a

: a person having a dull or merely physical existence

b

informal + sometimes offensive : a person whose mental and physical functioning is severely impaired and especially one who requires supportive measures (such as mechanical ventilation) to survive

Examples of vegetable in a Sentence

The doctor said I should eat more fruits and vegetables.

a bowl of vegetable soup

The accident had left him a vegetable.

Recent Examples on the Web

This artistic refuge showcases a variety of designs, colors, and textures with pollinator-friendly plants like wildflowers, grasses, a vegetable garden, and fruit trees. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026

Watercress Watercress is often ranked among the most nutrient-dense vegetables available. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 June 2026

Sneak a vegetable to your next cookout with this Tangy Potato-Green Bean Salad. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 5 June 2026

The fruits and vegetables grown at the center will be featured in menu items sold in the on-campus restaurant. —Tara Molina, CBS News, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin vegetābilia, plural noun derivative of vegetābilis vegetable entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing vegetable

• green vegetable
• root vegetable
• textured vegetable protein
• vegetable ivory
• vegetable marrow
• vegetable oil
• vegetable oyster
• vegetable pear
• vegetable wax

Kids Definition

vegetable

1 of 2 adjective

veg·​e·​ta·​ble ˈvej-tə-bəl 

ˈvej-ət-ə-bəl

1

: of, relating to, consisting of, or growing like plants

vegetable growth

2

: made from, obtained from, or containing plants or plant products

vegetable soup

vegetable

2 of 2 noun

1

: plant entry 2 sense 1

2

: a leafy plant (as the cabbage, bean, or potato) usually without woody tissue grown for an edible part that is usually eaten as part of a meal

also : such an edible part

Medical Definition

vegetable

1 of 2 adjective

veg·​e·​ta·​ble ˈvej-tə-bəl, ˈvej-ət-ə- 

1

a

: of, relating to, constituting, or growing like plants

b

: consisting of plants

2

: made or obtained from plants or plant products

vegetable

2 of 2 noun

1

: a usually herbaceous plant (as the cabbage, bean, or potato) grown for an edible part

also : such an edible part

2

: a person whose mental and physical functioning is severely impaired and especially one who requires supportive measures (as intravenous feeding or mechanical ventilation) to survive