eggplant

noun

egg·​plant ˈeg-ˌplant How to pronounce eggplant (audio)
ˈāg-
1
a
: a widely cultivated perennial Asian herb (Solanum melongena) of the nightshade family yielding edible fruit
b
: the usually smooth ovoid typically blackish-purple or white fruit of the eggplant
2
: a dark grayish or blackish purple

Examples of eggplant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yazon will be serving up savory items including beef mechado, pork binagoongan with eggplant and tortang talong. — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The exterior paint color was reportedly inspired by shiny ripe eggplants that Lingenbrink picked up at his local farmers’ market. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026 Produce varies by the season and includes tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, kale, peas, berries, turnips, rutabagas, apples, pears, cantaloupe, watermelon, herbs and other homegrown offerings. — Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 Sear the eggplant skin side down until deeply charred and soft but still intact. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eggplant

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of eggplant was in 1767

Phrases Containing eggplant

Rhymes for eggplant

See All Rhymes for eggplant

Browse Nearby Words

egg picking
eggplant
egg powder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eggplant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eggplant. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

eggplant

noun
egg·​plant -ˌplant How to pronounce eggplant (audio)
1
: a widely cultivated herb that is related to the potato and yields edible fruit
2
: the usually glossy blackish purple egg-shaped fruit of an eggplant

More from Merriam-Webster on eggplant

Nglish: Translation of eggplant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eggplant

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