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
Did you know?
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
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s something for every eater, from pepperoni pizza to whole wheat rigatoni with flowering broccoli.
—
Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
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The house favorite is sure to be the Sai Yok Noodles, packed high with thin rice noodles, herbaceous dark beef soup, bean sprouts, Chinese broccoli and green onions.
—Colin Wrenn, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
While rice mixture bakes, prepare breadcrumb topping and broccoli.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
Whisk six eggs, 1 cup broccoli, one-fourth cup feta cheese, and your spices of choice, then bake in a muffin tin until the eggs are cooked through.
—Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for broccoli
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Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Related Articles New Cheesecake Factory opening this spring in Colorado
The house favorite is sure to be the Sai Yok Noodles, packed high with thin rice noodles, herbaceous dark beef soup, bean sprouts, Chinese broccoli and green onions.
—Colin Wrenn, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
While rice mixture bakes, prepare breadcrumb topping and broccoli.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
Whisk six eggs, 1 cup broccoli, one-fourth cup feta cheese, and your spices of choice, then bake in a muffin tin until the eggs are cooked through.
—Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 11 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 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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