asparagus

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noun as·par·a·gus \ ə-ˈsper-ə-gəs , -ˈspa-rə- \

Definition of asparagus

plural 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

See asparagus defined for English-language learners

See asparagus defined for kids

Recent Examples of asparagus from the Web

And while vertical grill grates might be narrow enough for hot dogs, but spell doom for asparagus, the diamond pattern grate cooks veggies without sacrificing a single Brussels sprout to gravity.

— jason tesauro, Esquire, "The Grill That Changed My Life," 10 Aug. 2017
Vegetables include asparagus, avocado, carrot, cucumber, green onion and jalapenos.

— bob carlton, AL.com, "AJ McCarron's new restaurant opens in Tuscaloosa," 8 Aug. 2017
The packages are prepared by the store’s chefs and include pesto risotto with summer spinach berry salad for $16.99, chicken piccata with sauteed asparagus and mushrooms for $16.99, and honey Dijon glazed salmon with green bean almondine for $18.99.

— joyce smith, kansascity, "From smoothies to sushi, new Overland Park Cosentino’s Market has a bounty of offerings," 18 July 2017
On September 30, 2016, the young mom was sitting near a campfire looking at her phone while cooking tuna steak and asparagus.

— jessica mattern, Country Living, "Mom Who Was Disfigured by Campfire Accident Then Abandoned By Husband Speaks Out," 14 July 2017
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).

— carol deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Walker's Point Fuel Cafe lets diners get their fill anytime," 13 July 2017
Almost makes up for the fact that local asparagus seems to be over.

— Howard County Times, "Get fresh produce and meet the farmers at local market," 13 July 2017
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.

— jonathan jones, SI.com, "Marcus Lattimore is coaching mere miles from the site of his gruesome career-ending injury," 12 July 2017
What remained consistent between the two recipes is the addition of roasted red pepper, asparagus, jumbo lump crab meat and an herb butter sauce.

— claire perez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Lemon butter sauce is easy to adapt," 7 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1543

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ASPARAGUS Defined for English Language Learners

asparagus

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noun

Definition of asparagus for English Language Learners

: 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

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noun as·par·a·gus \ ə-ˈsper-ə-gəs \

Definition 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

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noun as·par·a·gus \ ə-ˈspar-ə-gəs \

medical 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

2 a :any plant of the genus Asparagus; especially :a plant (A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its tender edible young shoots

b :the root of cultivated asparagus formerly used as a diuretic