asparagus

noun

as·​par·​a·​gus ə-ˈsper-ə-gəs 

-ˈspa-rə-

plural asparagus

: any of a genus (Asparagus of the family Asparagaceae, the asparagus family) of Old World perennial plants 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

Illustration of asparagus

Examples of asparagus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thin veggies like asparagus and cruciferous veggies like broccoli might be ready to pull. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025

Locals flock for the year-round favorites like chicken and pork, and the seasonal asparagus and pepper jack tamales, available April through June, often draw lines out the door. —Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025

Both packages include a choice of three salads, roasted turkey with stuffing and gravy, a choice of two sides (mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, asparagus) and one dessert (carrot cake, chocolate cake, or pumpkin cheesecake). —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 21 Nov. 2025

The restaurant leans into its Lowcountry location but also pushes past just serving traditional Southern fare, with dishes like razor clam rigatoni and bigeye tuna crudo with asparagus and strawberries. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, asparagus plant, from Greek asparagos; perhaps akin to Greek spargan to swell

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

asparagus

noun

as·​par·​a·​gus ə-ˈspar-ə-gəs 

: a tall branching long-lived herb related to the lilies and widely grown for its thick edible young shoots

Medical Definition

asparagus

noun

as·​par·​a·​gus ə-ˈspar-ə-gəs 

1

capitalized : a genus of Old World perennial herbs (family Asparagaceae, the asparagus family) 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