plantain

1 of 2

noun (1)

plan·​tain ˈplan-tᵊn 

: any of a genus (Plantago of the family Plantaginaceae, the plantain family) of herbs with basal rosettes of usually lanceolate or elliptical leaves and spikes of minute greenish flowers

plantain

2 of 2

noun (2)

plan·​tain plan-ˈtān 

ˈplan-ˌtān,

ˈplan-tᵊn

1

: the angular greenish starchy fruit of the plantain that is a staple food in the tropics when cooked

2

: a banana plant (Musa paradisiaca)

Examples of plantain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sesame seeds thicken the mixture, and overripe plantain creates a silky texture. —Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024

In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Beryl wiped out 90% of bananas, plantains, and coconuts, alongside hundreds of fishing boats and key infrastructure. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Other dishes that meld California-modern and Colombian cuisines command the energetic room’s attention: A take on the now classic California Brussels sprouts side dish is ennobled with plantain crumble. —Sunset Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024

Many of us older gardeners referred to them as plantain lilies because their broad leaves resemble a common weed (or herb depending on one’s perspective), plantain. —Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin plantagin-, plantago, from planta sole of the foot; from its broad leaves — more at place

Noun (2)

Spanish plántano, plátano plane tree, banana tree, from Medieval Latin plantanus plane tree, alteration of Latin platanus — more at plane entry 4

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plantain

• plantain lily
• rattlesnake plantain
• water plantain

Kids Definition

plantain

1 of 2 noun

plan·​tain ˈplant-ᵊn 

: any of several common weeds having a short stem or none at all, leaves with parallel veins, and a long stalk of tiny greenish flowers

plantain

2 of 2 noun

: the large greenish starchy fruit of a kind of banana plant that is eaten cooked and is an important food in the tropics

also : this plant

Medical Definition

plantain

noun

plan·​tain ˈplant-ᵊn 

: any plant of the genus Plantago