brussels sprout

noun

brus·​sels sprout ˈbrə-səl- 

variants or Brussels sprout

plural brussels sprouts or Brussels sprouts

1

: a plant (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) related to the cabbage and cauliflower that is cultivated for its edible small roundish green buds which are borne on its stem and resemble miniature cabbages

2

: any of the edible green buds that are borne on the stems of brussels sprouts, consist of tightly overlapping immature leaves, and are typically cooked as a vegetable

Illustration of brussels sprout

• brussels sprout 1

Examples of brussels sprout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With roast turkey nestled against marshmallows and brussels sprouts migrating into pools of mac and cheese and cranberry sauce, precise pairings are moot. —Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Nov. 2025

Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts lead the list. —Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025

It's also found in foods like broccoli, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, and red meat.4 Evidence on the benefits of ALA in managing blood sugar is mixed. —Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 9 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile polarizing vegetables such as brussels sprouts, beets, kale, okra and eggplant also scored highly on the dislike list, despite growing popularity in modern diets. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brussels sprout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

brussels sprout

noun

brus·​sels sprout ˌbrəs-əl- 

often capitalized B

: one of the edible small green heads that grow on the stem of a plant related to the cabbage

also : this plant