eggplant

noun

egg·​plant ˈeg-ˌplant 

ˈāg-

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

Vegetarian diners will find lush Mediterranean richness in wood-oven roasted eggplant spiced with tomato harissa, feta and crunchy chickpeas, served with homemade pita. —Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025

Plant seedling starts of tomatoes, squash, Persian cucumbers, eggplant, bell and chili peppers. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2025

For a lighter, summer twist on the classic, Seeger also recommends swapping noodles for eggplant and adding Fontina cheese. —Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 31 July 2025

Nasu, or eggplant, is commonly found as a starter course or side dish in Japanese restaurants. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 31 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing eggplant

• Japanese eggplant

Rhymes for eggplant

• decant
• descant
• enchant
• explant
• implant
• preplant
• recant
• replant
• secant
• supplant
• transplant
• ant

Kids Definition

eggplant

noun

egg·​plant -ˌplant 

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