plantain

noun (1)

plan·tain | \ ˈplan-tᵊn

How to pronounce plantain (audio)

\

Definition of plantain

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

noun (2)

plan·tain | \ plan-ˈtān

How to pronounce plantain (audio)

, ˈplan-ˌtān, ˈplan-tᵊn \

Definition of plantain (Entry 2 of 2)

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)

History and Etymology for plantain

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

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Cite this Entry

“Plantain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plantain. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for plantain

plantain

noun

plan·tain | \ ˈplan-tᵊn

\

Kids Definition of plantain

: the greenish fruit of a kind of banana plant that is eaten cooked and is larger, less sweet, and more starchy than the ordinary banana

plantain

noun

plan·tain | \ ˈplant-ᵊn

\

Medical Definition of plantain

: any plant of the genus Plantago

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