carrot

noun

car·​rot ˈker-ət 

ˈka-rət

1

: a biennial herb (Daucus carota of the family Apiaceae synonym Umbelliferae, the carrot family) with a usually orange spindle-shaped edible root

also : its root

2

: a reward or advantage offered especially as an inducement

The company offered a carrot in the form of additional vacation time to workers who met their deadlines.

Examples of carrot in a Sentence

She chopped some carrots for the soup.

He added some grated carrot to the soup.

The company offered a carrot in the form of additional vacation time to workers who met their deadlines.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rebecca Rabbit Rebecca loves carrots and playing with her friends. — Elisa Cinelli, Parents, 27 Sep. 2026

Its most unique, standout ingredient is carrot extract, a botanical active. — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026

The creamy broth is specked with bits of potato, carrot, and leek. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026

So the carrot, at the moment, for Mbeng likely is the opportunity to compete in camp for one of the maximum three two-way spots currently held by Tre Donaldson, Vlad Goldin and Keshad Johnson. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French carotte, from Late Latin carota, from Greek karōton

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing carrot

• carrot-and-stick
• carrot cake
• wild carrot

Rhymes for carrot

• barret

Kids Definition

carrot

noun

car·​rot ˈkar-ət 

: the long orange edible root of a common garden plant that is eaten as a vegetable

also : a plant that produces a carrot

Medical Definition

carrot

noun

car·​rot ˈkar-ət 

: a biennial plant of the genus Daucus (D. carota of the family Apiaceae synonym Umbelliferae, the carrot family) that bears seeds which have been used especially as a diuretic and stimulant and that in cultivated varieties has a yellow or orange-red tapering root which is used as a vegetable

also : its root