turnip

noun

tur·​nip ˈtər-nəp 

1

a

: either of two biennial herbs of the mustard family with thick edible roots:

(1)

: one (Brassica rapa var. rapa) with globular often flattened roots and leaves that are cooked as a vegetable

(2)

: rutabaga

b

: the root of a turnip

2

: a large pocket watch

Examples of turnip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That is asking Hurdle to squeeze blood from a turnip (the team’s lineup). —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2025

Highlights included the hakurei turnip and oyster, king crab and capers, and turbot mousseline and mussel. —Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

People used to carve turnips and other vegetables on Halloween until pumpkins (which offered more space for carving) became more available. —Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024

Cool-season vegetables include carrots, radishes, parsnips, turnips, beets, asparagus, peas, onions, garlic, kale, spinach, lettuce, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

tur-, perhaps from turn entry 1 (in the sense "shape into a rounded form by means of a lathe") + nip, reduced form of neep

Note: The word is first attested in the plural turnepez in a list of root vegetables appended to a collection of recipes (MS. British Library Sloane 1201; see Alicia Amherst, A History of Gardening in England, 3rd edition, New York, 1910, p. 68); the Middle English Dictionary dates it "about 1500." Compare parsnip.

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

turnip

noun

tur·​nip ˈtər-nəp 

1

: either of two herbs related to cabbage with thick edible roots:

a

: one with usually white roundish roots and leaves that are cooked as a vegetable when young and tender

b

: rutabaga

2

: the root of a turnip