parsnip

noun

pars·​nip ˈpär-snəp 

: a Eurasian biennial herb (Pastinaca sativa) of the carrot family with large pinnate leaves and yellow flowers that is cultivated for its long tapered whitish root which is cooked as a vegetable

also : the root

Illustration of parsnip

Did you know?

The word parsnip was borrowed into Middle English in the 14th century as a modification of the Old French word pasnaie, itself derived from the Latin noun pastinaca, meaning "parsnip" or "carrot." The scientific name for the parsnip, "Pastinaca sativa," still reflects this history. "Pastinaca," in turn, traces back to "pastinum," a Latin word for a small gardening tool used to make holes in the ground for the insertion of plants, seeds, or bulbs. "Parsnip" may also remind you of the name of another edible root, "turnip," and there's a possible explanation for the resemblance. The Middle English spelling of "parsnip" ("passenep") may have been influenced by "nepe," the old form of "turnip."

Examples of parsnip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The recipe may also include garlic, parsnips, turnips or leeks and herbs like thyme, rosemary or bay leaves. — Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

Late plantings of peas and radishes also mature well in fall, as do carrots, beets, parsnips, and other root crops, storage potatoes, leeks, and most brassicas, like broccoli and cabbage. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026

There is little doubt about the potential of their new additions, but potential doesn’t butter any parsnips. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

What to watch out for Officials say to report wild parsnip, the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) online reporting tool is available online. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 28 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pasnepe, pastenepe, persnepe, borrowed (with assimilation of the final syllable to nepe "turnip") from Old French pasnaie, going back to Latin pastināca "carrot, turnip," probably from pastinum "two-pronged implement for planting seeds" (of uncertain origin) + -āca, suffix of plant names — more at neep

Note: Forms with -r-, marginally attested before ca. 1500, are perhaps by hypercorrection, since r is sometimes lost before tautosyllabic s in popular speech (see note at hoss). — Ernout and Meillet (Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française) compare pastinum with the verb pangere "to insert firmly, set in the ground" and related derivatives (see pact), though the formal path is unclear.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing parsnip

• cow parsnip
• giant cow parsnip

Rhymes for parsnip

• airship
• airstrip
• clerkship
• courtship
• equip
• filmstrip
• flagship
• headship
• heirship
• judgeship
• kinship
• lightship

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Kids Definition

parsnip

noun

pars·​nip ˈpär-snəp 

: a Eurasian herb related to the carrot and grown for its long white root which is cooked as a vegetable

also : this root