broccoli
noun
broc·co·li
ˈbrä-kə-lē 
ˈbrä-klē
1
chiefly British
: a large hardy cauliflower
2
a
: either of two garden vegetable plants closely related to the cabbage:
(1)
: one with a thick central stem and a compact head of dense usually green florets that is classified with the cauliflower
(2)
: one (Brassica oleracea var. italica) with slender stems and usually green or purple florets not arranged in a central head
b
: the stems and immature florets of broccoli used as food
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A fast-growing, upright, branched, annual plant, broccoli bears dense green clusters of edible flower buds. Native to the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, it was introduced to the US probably in colonial times. Broccoli thrives in moderate to cool climates. Its flavor resembles that of cabbage but is somewhat milder. It is one of the most broadly nutritious of all common vegetables and is a plant that is closely related to cabbage in the mustard family.
Examples of broccoli in a Sentence
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There were also fun suggestions on how to pair certain products, like pouring spinach dip over fresh broccoli or adding milk to your homemade horchata.
—
Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025
Top foods: Oranges, bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
No need to hack up an entire head of broccoli, because frozen alternatives are already chopped into perfectly sized florets.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 11 Apr. 2025
Monday, March 31, Country Fried Steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli, whole grain slice of bread, mixed fruit, milk.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
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Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025
Top foods: Oranges, bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
No need to hack up an entire head of broccoli, because frozen alternatives are already chopped into perfectly sized florets.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 11 Apr. 2025
Monday, March 31, Country Fried Steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli, whole grain slice of bread, mixed fruit, milk.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for broccoli
Cite this Entry
“Broccoli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broccoli. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
broccoli
noun
broc·co·li
ˈbräk-(ə-)lē
: an open branching form of cauliflower that bears young flowering shoots used as a vegetable
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