carrot

noun

car·​rot ˈker-ət 

ˈka-rət

1

: a biennial herb (Daucus carota of the family Apiaceae synonym Umbelliferae, the carrot family) with a usually orange spindle-shaped edible root

also : its root

2

: a reward or advantage offered especially as an inducement

The company offered a carrot in the form of additional vacation time to workers who met their deadlines.

Examples of carrot in a Sentence

She chopped some carrots for the soup.

He added some grated carrot to the soup.

The company offered a carrot in the form of additional vacation time to workers who met their deadlines.

Recent Examples on the Web

The technicians melted pellets to roll out flexible films for food packaging, like a bag for baby carrots. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

The best candidates for canning tend to be sturdier vegetables that can hold their structure under heat, such as carrots and beets. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 7 Aug. 2026

Root vegetables, like carrots, are grown entirely underground and may harbor extra dirt and debris. — Sarah Garone, HEALTH, 6 Aug. 2026

Baby Carrots and Cucumber Slices with Hummus Baby carrots and cucumber slices are water-rich veggies with a satisfying, crunchy bite. — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French carotte, from Late Latin carota, from Greek karōton

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing carrot

• carrot-and-stick
• carrot cake
• wild carrot

Rhymes for carrot

• barret

Kids Definition

carrot

noun

car·​rot ˈkar-ət 

: the long orange edible root of a common garden plant that is eaten as a vegetable

also : a plant that produces a carrot

Medical Definition

carrot

noun

car·​rot ˈkar-ət 

: a biennial plant of the genus Daucus (D. carota of the family Apiaceae synonym Umbelliferae, the carrot family) that bears seeds which have been used especially as a diuretic and stimulant and that in cultivated varieties has a yellow or orange-red tapering root which is used as a vegetable

also : its root