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

The menu gets creative with dishes like Thai shrimp curry with plantains, but the star remains its signature bobó de lagosta, a rich lobster stew and northeastern classic. —Carla Vianna, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025

In the latest episode of Billboard‘s Takes Us Out, Smoke and Taj order grilled broccolini, plantain and crab, and lamb tacos, among other dishes. —Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025

Some people mix in ingredients such as plantains, cheese and beets. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile, larger portions come in the form of seafood soups ($15 to $25), plates of meat with rice and fried plantains, or tajadas ($15 to $20). —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025

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