beet

noun

ˈbēt 

: a biennial garden plant (Beta vulgaris) of the amaranth family that includes several cultivars (such as Swiss chard and sugar beet) and that has thick edible leaves with long petioles and often swollen purplish-red roots

also : its root used especially as a vegetable, as a source of sugar, or for forage

Examples of beet in a Sentence

I've planted carrots, parsnips, and beets in the garden.

Recent Examples on the Web

Spread beet hummus over one wrap and top with the cucumber, oil and lemon juice, egg, chickpeas, feta, microgreens and scallion. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026

Bush-type beans and beets get along just fine as companion plants. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026

Imagine throwing a birthday party without cake — but with cherry tomatoes, beets and lettuce instead. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026

Staff at the Berlin Zoo marked the occasion on April 13 with a special meal tailored to Fatou’s dietary needs, including cherry tomatoes, beets, leeks and lettuce, per AP. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bete, from Old English bēte, from Latin beta

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing beet

• beet armyworm
• beet leafhopper
• beet red
• red as a beet
• sugar beet

Rhymes for beet

• beat
• bleat
• cheat
• cleat
• creat
• deet
• eat
• feat
• feet
• fleet
• greet
• heat

Kids Definition

beet

noun

ˈbēt 

: a garden plant with thick long-stalked edible leaves and usually an enlarged purplish red root used as a vegetable, as a source of sugar, or as food for livestock

also : this root