1
a
: a widely cultivated perennial Asian herb (Solanum melongena) of the nightshade family yielding edible fruit
b
: the usually smooth ovoid typically blackish-purple or white fruit of the eggplant
2
: a dark grayish or blackish purple

Examples of eggplant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When eggplant is in season, grab a few to make this delicious pasta bake. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2026 Add half of eggplant and cook, stirring often, until softened and golden brown, 5–7 minutes. Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 June 2026 Use floating row covers over seedlings and susceptible crops such as eggplants, which can be decimated by flea beetles. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 June 2026 Adorable French Bakery offers pastries, including an eggplant tart that has become a favorite. Debby Rice, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for eggplant

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of eggplant was in 1767

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Cite this Entry

“Eggplant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eggplant. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: a widely cultivated herb that is related to the potato and yields edible fruit
2
: the usually glossy blackish purple egg-shaped fruit of an eggplant

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