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

One involved plantain, sugar and burned tortillas. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026

Smart brands like Amazi have revolutionized the fruit snack space—dehydrating everything from pineapple to jackfruit and plantains. —Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Jan. 2026

Chicago chef Sarah Russo uses roasted plantain to add a delicious and unexpected starchy sweetness to this salad, which also gets plenty of flavor, nutrition, and texture from ingredients like carrots, bell pepper, black beans, and kale. —Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 8 Jan. 2026

La Reine Chicken Shack is well known for having some of the island's best johnnycakes and rotisserie chicken, while the bright orange Cruzarican Spot food truck, with its rotating menu of island favorites like potfish with plantains, is another must. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 4 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