okra

noun

ˈō-krə 

Southern also -krē

1

: a tall annual herb (Abelmoschus esculentus) of the mallow family that is cultivated for its mucilaginous green pods used especially in soups or stews

also : the pods of this plant

2

: gumbo entry 1 sense 1

Examples of okra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of the recipes are simple variations on the classic spread, from a pimiento cheese filled with pickled okra to a pineapple variation (made with crushed pineapple from a can, naturally). —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026

The menu plays on Lowcountry classics with dishes like charred okra, she-crab soup, sourdough bread served alongside sorghum butter, and perloo, a traditional one-pot meal popular in South Carolina and Georgia. —Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026

Some recipes include ham, tomatoes, okra, filé powder and leafy greens, demonstrating that the dish can be prepared a multitude of ways. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026

The individual beads are large hollow spheres containing okra seeds. —Travis Loller, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

of African origin; akin to Ibo ókùrù okra

First Known Use

1679, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

okra

noun

ˈō-krə 

: a tall herb related to the hollyhocks and grown for its edible green pods which are used especially in soups and stews

also : these pods