potato

noun

po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtā-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce potato (audio)
-tə,
 dialectal  pə-ˈdā-,
bə- How to pronounce potato (audio)
plural potatoes
often attributive
1
2
a
: an erect South American herb (Solanum tuberosum) of the nightshade family widely cultivated for its edible starchy tuber
b
: the tuber of a potato

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato

Illustration of potato

Illustration of potato
  • potato 2a

Examples of potato in a Sentence

She's growing carrots and potatoes in her garden this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Serve with a side that can soak up the yummy sauce: mashed potatoes, rice, orzo, quinoa, or egg noodles. Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 5 June 2025 Serve this with mashed potatoes and peas for a classic, comforting meal, then tuck leftover slices into buttered toast the next day for the best meatloaf sandwiches imaginable. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025 The 70-year-olds died in the hospital after eating the beef Wellingtons, which were served with green beans and mashed potatoes. Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025 Consider classic pairings such as fast-producing radishes with slow-growing carrots, tall tomatoes with shade-loving lettuce (bearing in mind nutrient differences), and below-ground potatoes with above-ground bush beans. Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for potato

Word History

Etymology

Spanish batata, from Taino

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of potato was in 1565

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Potato.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potato. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

potato

noun
po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtāt-ō How to pronounce potato (audio) pət-ˈāt- How to pronounce potato (audio)
plural potatoes
1
2
a
: an erect South American herb widely cultivated for its thick starchy edible underground tubers
b
: one of these edible tubers

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato

More from Merriam-Webster on potato

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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