brussels sprout

noun

brus·​sels sprout ˈbrə-səl- 

variants or Brussels sprout

plural brussels sprouts or Brussels sprouts

1

: a plant (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) related to the cabbage and cauliflower that is cultivated for its edible small roundish green buds which are borne on its stem and resemble miniature cabbages

2

: any of the edible green buds that are borne on the stems of brussels sprouts, consist of tightly overlapping immature leaves, and are typically cooked as a vegetable

Illustration of brussels sprout

• brussels sprout 1

Examples of brussels sprout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Air frying, the process of frying foods with hot air, has gained traction over the years as a quick, convenient and healthy way to deliciously fry foods like chicken, potatoes and brussels sprouts. —Mason Leib, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025

But crisped firm tofu can be sauced off heat, too, as Kristina Felix does in her recipe for roasted brussels sprouts and tofu with chile lime dressing. —Tanya Sichynsky, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

The traditional home oven is great for lots of things: chocolate-chip cookies, Thanksgiving turkeys, roasted brussels sprouts, whatever. —Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024

The Detroit-style pizza features unexpected combinations, like brussels sprouts and caramelized onions, and chili crisp and meatballs. —Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brussels sprout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

brussels sprout

noun

brus·​sels sprout ˌbrəs-əl- 

often capitalized B

: one of the edible small green heads that grow on the stem of a plant related to the cabbage

also : this plant