cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r  ˈkä- 

-lē-

often attributive

: a garden plant (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers

also : its flower cluster used as a vegetable

Examples of cauliflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One cup of cauliflower provides over 75% of your daily vitamin C needs. —Cynthia Sass, Health, 13 Nov. 2025

Gail Becker‘s Caulipower, one of the original cauliflower-as-carb-replacement products, just sold to Urban Farmer. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025

Using half potatoes and half cauliflower lowers the carbs in this classic side. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025

Topped with creamy brebis, a ricotta-like cheese made from ewe’s milk, and pungent pickled cauliflower, the starter hit all of the notes in flavor and texture. —Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian cavolfiore, from cavolo cabbage (from Late Latin caulus, from Latin caulis stem, cabbage) + fiore flower, from Latin flor-, flos — more at cole, blow

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cauliflower

• cauliflower ear

Rhymes for cauliflower

• candlepower
• overpower
• superpower
• vavasour
• waterpower
• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower

Kids Definition

cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a garden plant closely related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers