brussels sprout

noun

brus·​sels sprout ˈbrə-səl- 

variants or Brussels sprout

plural brussels sprouts or Brussels sprouts

1

: a plant (Brassica oleracea 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

The entrees come in single serve, half portion (feeds two or three) and full size (feeds four to six), with soups and sides like lemon herb orzo, garlic bacon brussels sprouts and split pea soup in either half pint or pint sizes. —Shannon Greene, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2024

Honey-butter brussels sprouts, blistered asparagus, and garlicky green beans are among my faves. —Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 12 June 2024

This cruciferous veggie —along with kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and rutabaga — provides cancer-fighting compounds called glucosinolates. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024

There was a recipe for crispy brussels sprouts, which almost every table seems to order: sizzling wedges on a bed of garlic-confit yogurt, topped with lemony barberries. —Marcela Valdes. Photographs and Videos By Peden + Munk, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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