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

Garcia opted for a menu inspired by his family’s Puerto Rican and Dominican roots: scallop and habanero leche de tigre, smoked mussels with plantains and cabbage, spiny lobster with salsa matcha and squash, and a take on piragua con leche with melon sorbet and avocado yogurt. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 June 2024

The energy in the kitchen as people were coming in and out, and my mom or my aunt were cooking or catching up over tea—there were always baskets of yams or plantains on the floor and big bags of rice—that active kitchen is the genesis of a lot of my family memories. —Korsha Wilson, Saveur, 12 June 2024

Law Li said mofongo, which uses plantains its main ingredient, is another popular choice among regulars. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2024

Sweet plantains dazzle alongside hearty black bean puree. —Bradley Hohulin, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Feb. 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