plantain

1 of 2

noun (1)

plan·​tain ˈplan-tᵊn 

: any of a genus (Plantago of the family Plantaginaceae, the plantain family) of herbs with basal rosettes of usually lanceolate or elliptical leaves and spikes of minute greenish flowers

plantain

2 of 2

noun (2)

plan·​tain plan-ˈtān 

ˈplan-ˌtān, 

ˈplan-tᵊn

1

: the angular greenish starchy fruit of the plantain that is a staple food in the tropics when cooked

2

: a banana plant (Musa paradisiaca)

Examples of plantain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Amezquita said his favorite dish for the awards show is the Botana Board, which includes mole verde, mole rojo, mole negro, longaniza sausage, vegetarian chicharron de harina, pork belly chicharron, plantain chips, blue corn tortilla chips, roasted garlic white bean, and fruit escabeche. —Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026

The cooking process can reduce the amount of resistant starch and fiber in plantains, altering the balance between carbohydrates and fiber. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2026

Even the tourists who show up tend to be versed in pikliz and plantains, Noam Yemini says. —Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026

Writing in his journal, Cook noted that the Rapanui grew sweet potatoes, yams, taro, plantains, and sugarcane, all of which his crew had eaten elsewhere in the Pacific. —Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin plantagin-, plantago, from planta sole of the foot; from its broad leaves — more at place

Noun (2)

Spanish plántano, plátano plane tree, banana tree, from Medieval Latin plantanus plane tree, alteration of Latin platanus — more at plane entry 4

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plantain

• plantain lily
• rattlesnake plantain
• water plantain

Rhymes for plantain

• dilantin

Kids Definition

plantain

1 of 2 noun

plan·​tain ˈplant-ᵊn 

: any of several common weeds having a short stem or none at all, leaves with parallel veins, and a long stalk of tiny greenish flowers

plantain

2 of 2 noun

: the large greenish starchy fruit of a kind of banana plant that is eaten cooked and is an important food in the tropics

also : this plant

Medical Definition

plantain

noun

plan·​tain ˈplant-ᵊn 

: any plant of the genus Plantago