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

Recent favorites include pork with roasted veggies, flank steak with asparagus, and shrimp pasta. —Self Staff, SELF, 9 Jan. 2026

Lean and tender steaks crown a bright, lemony salad made with asparagus, peas and couscous. —Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 8 Jan. 2026

Adding organic matter and sand to improve drainage also benefits asparagus. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026

On sunny weekends, locals sprawl across Primrose Hill, and flower stalls return to Columbia Road as markets from there to Borough Market showcase the season’s bounty—peas, artichokes, asparagus, and rhubarb. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 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