rutabaga

noun

ru·​ta·​ba·​ga ˌrü-tə-ˈbā-gə How to pronounce rutabaga (audio)
ˌru̇-,
-ˈbe-;
ˈrü-tə-ˌbā-,
ˈru̇-,
-ˌbe-
: a turnip (Brassica napus napobrassica) that usually produces a large yellowish root that is eaten as a vegetable
also : the root

Examples of rutabaga in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Parsnips, turnips, and rutabagas are all very earthy, sometimes bitter, and tend to be quite strong. Christopher Michel, Country Living, 29 Aug. 2023 July Now is the time for lettuce, chard, collards, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, root vegetables including kohlrabi, potatoes, leeks, beets, and rutabaga. Deanna Kizis, Sunset Magazine, 14 June 2023 In this dish, cider helps to complement rutabagas’ inherent sweetness. Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 Harvest turnips, rutabaga, carrots, etc. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2023 Western valleys, Portland, Roseburg, Medford: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, chives, endive, leeks, lettuce, peas, radishes, rhubarb, rutabagas, spinach and turnips. oregonlive, 1 Apr. 2022 Think potatoes, carrots and rutabaga. Alysha Witwicki, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2021 Lehto’s ships their beef, chicken, and vegetable pasties that include potato, onion and rutabaga — a hallmark of a true pasty — in the filling. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2022 Add plant power beyond the usual carrots and potatoes to meaty stews, too, with mushrooms, bell peppers, green beans, and root vegetables such as rutabaga, turnips and celery root. Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rutabaga.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Swedish dialect rotabagge, from rot root + bagge bag

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rutabaga was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near rutabaga

Cite this Entry

“Rutabaga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rutabaga. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

rutabaga

noun
ru·​ta·​ba·​ga ˌrüt-ə-ˈbā-gə How to pronounce rutabaga (audio)
ˌru̇t-,
-ˈbeg-ə
: a turnip with a large yellowish root that is eaten as a vegetable
also : the root

More from Merriam-Webster on rutabaga

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!