Definition of asparagus
asparagus
: any of a genus (Asparagus) of Old World perennial plants of the lily family having much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow usually filiform branchlets that function as leaves; especially : one (A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its edible young shoots
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Recent Examples of asparagus from the Web
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On September 30, 2016, the young mom was sitting near a campfire looking at her phone while cooking tuna steak and asparagus.
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Other starters build on vegetables, such as roasted carrots and asparagus with a poached egg ($7) or kale, butternut squash, Parmesan and pumpkin seeds, with slices of chicken chorizo that supply the main seasoning ($6).
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Almost makes up for the fact that local asparagus seems to be over.
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COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a sea of green, blue and white shirts, Marcus Lattimore sits in the sunlit cafeteria of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School eating pinto beans, brown rice and asparagus.
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What remained consistent between the two recipes is the addition of roasted red pepper, asparagus, jumbo lump crab meat and an herb butter sauce.
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Served in a rich and creamy sauce infused with mushrooms and parmesan, the gnocchi were tender and complemented by the pop of fresh English peas and delicate asparagus.
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After a private one-on-one meeting, the pair went to lunch with four senior officials, dining on Belgian asparagus, red mullet and meringue cake with strawberries.
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While longtime favorites remain, new menu items have been added and include wedge salad, spicy flatbread, roasted asparagus, mushroom and onion pizza and roasted tomato and chicken linguini.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'asparagus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of asparagus
Origin and Etymology of asparagus
New Latin, genus name, from Latin, asparagus plant, from Greek asparagos; perhaps akin to Greek spargan to swell
ASPARAGUS Defined for English Language Learners
asparagus
playDefinition of asparagus for English Language Learners
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: a plant with long green stems and tiny leaves at one end that is cooked and eaten as a vegetable
ASPARAGUS Defined for Kids
asparagus
playDefinition of asparagus for Students
: a vegetable that is the young shoots of a garden plant related to the lilies that lives for many years
History for asparagus
The word asparagus is borrowed from the ancient Greeks' name for the plant, asparagos, which could also just refer to the young shoot of any plant. This word is probably related to a Greek verb spharageitai, meaning “it's full to bursting,” which might describe a fast-growing plant shoot. But to English speakers the word has sometimes seemed odd and a little difficult to say. In the American countryside people have turned asparagus into “aspergrass” or “aspirin grass” or—the most popular—“sparrow grass.” These expressions are easier to say and tickle our sense of humor a bit.
Medical Dictionary
asparagus
playMedical Definition of asparagus
1 capitalized : a genus of Old World perennial herbs of the lily family (Liliaceae) having erect much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow filiform branchlets that function as leaves
2a: any plant of the genus Asparagus; especially : a plant (A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its tender edible young shootsb: the root of cultivated asparagus formerly used as a diuretic
Illustration of asparagus
Learn More about asparagus
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Spanish Central: Translation of asparagus Nglish: Translation of asparagus for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about asparagus
Seen and Heard
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