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 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

Did you know?

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Cook until broccoli is crisp-tender and bright green. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024

The analysis found broccoli to be a safe bet, for instance, not because the vegetable did not contain pesticide residues but because higher-risk chemicals were at low levels and on only a few samples. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024

Hers is a broccoli tempura with a white miso mayonnaise. —Yotam Ottolenghi, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024

Chop broccoli: Meanwhile, cut broccoli florets from stems, and separate florets into small pieces using tip of a paring knife. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024

Rocket to health Arugula might be sold next to the romaine and mesclun at the grocery store, but the peppery-tasting herb is actually part of the cruciferous vegetable family, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024

Chop broccoli: Meanwhile, cut the broccoli florets from the stems, and separate the florets into small pieces using the tip of a paring knife. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024

The welcome surprise: broccoli was crisp and green. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2024

Broccoli Calcium content: 70 mg in 2 cups of raw broccoli, or 7% of the DV8 This cruciferous veggie contains nearly twice the vitamin C of an orange. —Christine Mattheis, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, plural of broccolo flowering top of a cabbage, diminutive of brocco small nail, sprout

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing broccoli

• broccoli raab
• broccoli rab
• broccoli rabe
• sprouting broccoli

Kids Definition

broccoli

noun

broc·​co·​li ˈbräk-(ə-)lē 

: an open branching form of cauliflower that bears young flowering shoots used as a vegetable