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

Delicate French green beans, baby red potatoes, and a hefty dose of dill are the stars here. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026

Add carrots, parsnips and potatoes to slow cooker. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026

Peas, spinach, arugula, carrots, beets, kale, radishes, lettuce, and potatoes can be grown now and are easy to start from seed directly sown into the soil. —Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026

Al’s is famous for its obscenely generous loaded baked potatoes, the kind locals stretch across four meals. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 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