potato

noun

po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtā-(ˌ)tō 

-tə

dialectal pə-ˈdā-, 

bə- 

plural potatoes

often attributive

1

: sweet potato

2

a

: an erect South American herb (Solanum tuberosum) of the nightshade family widely cultivated for its edible starchy tuber

b

: the tuber of a potato

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato

Illustration of potato

• potato 2a

Examples of potato in a Sentence

She's growing carrots and potatoes in her garden this year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Healthier Potato Salad This potato salad looks just like your classic barbecue or potluck dish (and tastes pretty similar too). — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 17 Sep. 2026

There are also beignets in three flavors, chips, Japanese potato salad and soup, plus drinks like cold brew and sparkling lavender lemonade. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026

Overprocessing can cause the potato to become gluey, and this can impact the overall consistency of the soup. — Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026

Many showed up every morning, unloading pallets of potatoes, working the front desk, helping others who came for food. — Claire Galofaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish batata, from Taino

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing potato

• Colorado potato beetle
• couch potato
• fingerling potato
• hot potato
• Irish potato
• jacket potato
• mouse potato
• new potato
• potato beetle
• potato blight
• potato bug
• potato chip
• potato crisp
• potato leafhopper
• potato pancake
• potato tuberworm
• seed potato
• small potato
• sweet potato
• white potato

Rhymes for potato

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

potato

noun

po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtāt-ō  pət-ˈāt- 

plural potatoes

1

: sweet potato sense 1

2

a

: an erect South American herb widely cultivated for its thick starchy edible underground tubers

b

: one of these edible tubers

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato