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 ingredients themselves make for a great breakfast, with fiber-rich vegetables to boost the gut, ginger and orange for immune support and antioxidant-rich carrots. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Sep. 2026

There are so many things that can be a carrot on a stick — finding love, employment, financial security… and fixing yourself can be a carrot on a stick, too. — Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Sep. 2026

Sturdy potato chips are our favorite pairing, but thick pita or pretzel chips, or celery or carrot sticks also pair nicely. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2026

Add half of the scallions, the carrots, and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, then toss again. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 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