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

Jalapeños, pineapple, and eggplant were also unpopular pizza toppings, according to the poll. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025

On the menu was a classic Caesar salad, truffle chicken roulade, koji cured Santa Maria steak and eggplant lasagna. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025

One of my favorite bites was the summer jardiniere with tomato, eggplant and olive tapenade from Chef John Cahill of Augustine, a one-bite wonder that had all the right mix of flavors and textures. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025

Walls are painted in a dramatic shade of eggplant that pops under the light of ornate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 15 Sep. 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