taro

noun

ta·​ro ˈtär-(ˌ)ō  ˈter- 

plural taros

: a tropical Asian plant (Colocasia esculenta) of the arum family that has large heart- or arrow-shaped leaves and is grown throughout the tropics for its edible starchy corms and cormels and in temperate regions for ornament

also : its corms and cormels typically cooked as a vegetable or ground into flour

Examples of taro in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a variety of taro, a food staple in Polynesia, whose tubers are edible when properly prepared. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026

Several years earlier, in 2018, flooding decimated Hawaii's taro crop. —CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

Often confused with taro or purple sweet potatoes, ube is sweeter and creamier. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2026

Some boba teas include other ingredients like matcha, cinnamon, taro, and more. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Tahitian & Maori

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for taro

• aero
• faro
• garo
• marrow
• narrow
• pharaoh
• sparrow
• bolero
• bracero
• estero
• herero
• montero

Kids Definition

taro

noun

ta·​ro ˈtär-ō  ˈtar- 

ˈter-

plural taros

: a large-leaved tropical Asian plant grown throughout the tropics for its edible starchy rounded underground stem

also : the stem typically cooked as a vegetable or ground into flour