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.
On the larger side, there is a branzino entree with cauliflower puree and rainbow carrots, lamb chops with pistachio chimichurri and marinated beef tenderloin with eggplant and sun-dried tomato. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 But the dark purple/eggplant/plum that was their regular road jersey is unbeatable and wonderfully distinct. — The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Seven ramekins come on a platter bearing beets with tehina, a puree of greens called olesh, cannellini beans and corn, cabbage with sumac onions, eggplant, Yemenite pickles and chershi, a butternut squash spread. — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Drizzle 1½ cups sauce over and, using an offset spatula or a spoon, spread evenly over eggplants. — Rachel Dolfi, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 July 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 5 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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