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

However, in high-quality soil, carrots (Daucus carota) can thrive, and their growth below ground can provide some protection against diseases. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026

This one had avocado that arrived without any browning, a mix of lettuce and cabbage and snap peas, and a very bright carrot-ginger dressing. —Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026

Instead, Gatorade will use colors derived from fruits and vegetables such as purple potatoes and beta-carotene, which is found in carrots and dark-green leafy vegetables. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026

Add cucumber, julienne carrots, green onions and lemon zest to a bowl. —Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 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