cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r  ˈkä- 

-lē-

often attributive

: a garden plant (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers

also : its flower cluster used as a vegetable

Examples of cauliflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cotton ball cumulus clouds Clouds that look like cartoon cotton balls or cauliflower are made up of tiny liquid water droplets and are called cumulus clouds. —Ross Lazear, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025

The menu changes with the seasons, specializing in seafood and fish— don’t miss the roasted cod with coco beans, chorizo and cauliflower. —Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Broccoli is bred for its green florets, while cauliflower is bred for its compact white florets. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2025

Roast 30 minutes, stirring cauliflower halfway through, or until cauliflower is golden and tender. —Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian cavolfiore, from cavolo cabbage (from Late Latin caulus, from Latin caulis stem, cabbage) + fiore flower, from Latin flor-, flos — more at cole, blow

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cauliflower

• cauliflower ear

Rhymes for cauliflower

• candlepower
• overpower
• superpower
• vavasour
• waterpower
• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower

Kids Definition

cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a garden plant closely related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers