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

The sauce is a snap to make: just a dollop of ricotta, thinned out with a little pasta cooking water, which gets tossed with the pasta and crisp-tender asparagus spears. —Melissa Kirsch, New York Times, 3 May 2025

Spring brings fresh vegetables like asparagus, peas, radishes and artichokes. —Food Drink Life, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025

Some examples include apples, asparagus, onions, and wheat products. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 17 Apr. 2025

Guests will be able to enjoy special menu items like spring asparagus, lamb navarian, and chocolate creme brulee. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 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) 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