broccoli
noun
broc·co·li
ˈbrä-kə-lē 
ˈbrä-klē
1
chiefly British
: a large hardy cauliflower
2
a
: either of two garden vegetable plants closely related to the cabbage:
(1)
: one with a thick central stem and a compact head of dense usually green florets that is classified with the cauliflower
(2)
: one (Brassica oleracea var. italica) with slender stems and usually green or purple florets not arranged in a central head
b
: the stems and immature florets of broccoli used as food
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A fast-growing, upright, branched, annual plant, broccoli bears dense green clusters of edible flower buds. Native to the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, it was introduced to the US probably in colonial times. Broccoli thrives in moderate to cool climates. Its flavor resembles that of cabbage but is somewhat milder. It is one of the most broadly nutritious of all common vegetables and is a plant that is closely related to cabbage in the mustard family.
Examples of broccoli in a Sentence
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Spicy customer favorites include its Three Glass Chicken (dark meat chicken, garlic, ginger, basil, chili, wine and soy sauce), Baoding Scallops (scallops fried then sauteed in a sweet and spicy sauce with red bell peppers, snow peas, mushroom and broccoli) and Tangerine Beef.
—
Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2025
Other sources of soluble fiber include citrus, broccoli, peas, carrots, cucumbers, and celery.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 3 June 2025
This same interaction was not seen with other vegetables, like broccoli, cabbage, or greens.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025
In terms of veggies, broccoli, onions, and red bell peppers are especially popular choices, according to Harvard Health.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 30 May 2025
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Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2025
Other sources of soluble fiber include citrus, broccoli, peas, carrots, cucumbers, and celery.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 3 June 2025
This same interaction was not seen with other vegetables, like broccoli, cabbage, or greens.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025
In terms of veggies, broccoli, onions, and red bell peppers are especially popular choices, according to Harvard Health.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for broccoli
Cite this Entry
“Broccoli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broccoli. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
broccoli
noun
broc·co·li
ˈbräk-(ə-)lē
: an open branching form of cauliflower that bears young flowering shoots used as a vegetable
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