banana

noun

ba·​nana bə-ˈna-nə How to pronounce banana (audio)
 especially British  -ˈnä-
1
: an elongated usually tapering tropical fruit with soft pulpy flesh enclosed in a soft usually yellow rind
a bunch of bananas
slipped on a banana peel
2
: any of several widely cultivated perennial often treelike herbs (genus Musa of the family Musaceae, the banana family) bearing bananas in compact pendent bunches

Illustration of banana

Illustration of banana
  • banana 2

Examples of banana in a Sentence

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.
Dreamland's Secret Recipe Now offered in all 11 locations, banana pudding is a top-three seller for the business. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025 People who seek to control their high blood pressure naturally should instead boost their levels with potassium-rich foods like sweet potatoes, bananas, and spinach.6 What Is the DASH Diet? — Yvelette Stines, Verywell Health, 18 Mar. 2025 Other ballerinas keep bananas handy too, according to the article. — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025 La Dulce Vida in Magna has banana cream and fresh strawberry pies for $15 and pecan for $17. — Erin Alberty, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for banana

Word History

Etymology

Spanish or Portuguese; Spanish, from Portuguese, of African origin; akin to Wolof banaana banana

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of banana was in 1597

Phrases Containing banana

Rhymes for banana

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Browse Nearby Words

banana
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Cite this Entry

“Banana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banana. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

banana

noun
ba·​nana bə-ˈnan-ə How to pronounce banana (audio)
: a treelike tropical plant with large leaves and flower clusters that develop into a bunch of finger-shaped fruit which are usually yellow when ripe
also : its fruit

More from Merriam-Webster on banana

Nglish: Translation of banana for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about banana

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