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

Grilled salmon served with golden Yukon mashed potatoes, green apple, bok choy and citrus kumquat makes its debut as a summer entrée. — Laura Ness, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026

Not happy with the homeless count The hot potato that is homelessness now heads to Jurado, at a critical time for the city and her district. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

She’s known for her iconic sweet-potato soft pretzel, but don’t overlook the rest of the pastry case. — Kyle Beechey, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026

Most vegetables can be stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator, with the exception of bulbs like onions and garlic, potatoes, and tomatoes. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 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