taro

noun ta·ro \ ˈtär-(ˌ)ō , ˈter- \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of taro

plural taros

: a large-leaved tropical Asian plant (Colocasia esculenta) of the arum family 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

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Recent Examples of taro from the Web

Its summer rolls and crispy little spring rolls stuffed with cabbage and soft taro are spot-on.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "A worthy destination in the heart of Cambodia Town," 11 May 2018
Jack gains confidence—eating steamed taro with his hands from a banana leaf, flying off a long rope with the villagers into the sea.

— sophy roberts, Condé Nast Traveler, "Navigating Tradition and Tourism in Papua New Guinea," 3 May 2018
The flavor changes every week, with past ones including matcha, cereal milk, and taro.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Quirky ice cream for your cone (or fish-shaped cake)," 19 Apr. 2018
Eoff and Lee showed me what the 'ohana built in the ensuing years, taking me through rows of taro plants and ipu squash vines in the canoe garden while little brown francolin birds scattered at our advance.

— soleil ho, GQ, "Kohanaiki: Where the Mega-Rich Hide Away on Hawai'i," 20 Apr. 2018
An online search turned up these restaurants serving the dish in the Chicago area: Lee Wing Wah: Pressed duck with mashed taro stuffing $17.95.

— chicago tribune staff, chicagotribune.com, "'Chicken feet? Why?' And your other questions about Chinese food answered," 22 Feb. 2018
Watermelon poke is dressed with smashed avocado and nori chips while the coconut ceviche comes with corn nuts, lime and taro chips.

— sara liss, miamiherald, "Can this vegan restaurant by a nightlife impresario make plant-based dining cool? | Miami Herald," 22 Mar. 2018
A dozen rectangular ponds glisten in the sun, meter-high taro plants sprouting from their waters.

— brendan borrell, Smithsonian, "Hawaii’s Last Outlaw Hippies," 28 Feb. 2018
For those who prefer meat to fish, Miyazaki Wagyu beef tartare atop puffed black rice is almost too pretty to eat, alongside tiny taro tacos with spiced eggplant and lime pickles.

— lauren sheffield, Harper's BAZAAR, "Here's What the Celebs Will Be Eating at the 2018 Academy Awards," 22 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'taro.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.