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 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.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The broccoli in this meal supports immune health, heart health and works to keep blood sugar levels steady. 
Emily Laurence, Good Housekeeping, 31 Aug. 2022 Chop the stalks into 1-inch pieces, or whatever is called for in your recipe, then chop the head of the broccoli into individual florets. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2022 Typically prepared in street carts and markets, lort cha features short and squat rice pin noodles tossed with spring onions, Chinese broccoli, crunchy bean sprouts, chives, garlic and beef then topped with a fried egg and a special sauce. Kate Springer, CNN, 22 Aug. 2022 Behold the sheen in the stack of Chinese broccoli, cooked to retain some bite and lashed with oyster sauce. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 Cole was not the mythical god in charge of making ancient Olympians eat their broccoli. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 22 July 2022 Harvest broccoli before temperatures are consistently above 75°F. Christopher Michel, Country Living, 18 July 2022 Recipes for dishes like pot roast, stuffed bell peppers and broccoli with cheese sauce were perfected in the years Mrs. Meggett cooked for white families. New York Times, 9 May 2022 Schrenkiella parvula is a member of the larger Brassicaceae plant family, which includes crops like cabbage, broccoli and turnips, and other important food crops. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 May 2022 See More
Emily Laurence, Good Housekeeping, 31 Aug. 2022 Chop the stalks into 1-inch pieces, or whatever is called for in your recipe, then chop the head of the broccoli into individual florets. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2022 Typically prepared in street carts and markets, lort cha features short and squat rice pin noodles tossed with spring onions, Chinese broccoli, crunchy bean sprouts, chives, garlic and beef then topped with a fried egg and a special sauce. Kate Springer, CNN, 22 Aug. 2022 Behold the sheen in the stack of Chinese broccoli, cooked to retain some bite and lashed with oyster sauce. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 Cole was not the mythical god in charge of making ancient Olympians eat their broccoli. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 22 July 2022 Harvest broccoli before temperatures are consistently above 75°F. Christopher Michel, Country Living, 18 July 2022 Recipes for dishes like pot roast, stuffed bell peppers and broccoli with cheese sauce were perfected in the years Mrs. Meggett cooked for white families. New York Times, 9 May 2022 Schrenkiella parvula is a member of the larger Brassicaceae plant family, which includes crops like cabbage, broccoli and turnips, and other important food crops. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Italian, plural of broccolo flowering top of a cabbage, diminutive of brocco small nail, sprout
First Known Use
1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing broccoli
Kids Definition
broccoli
noun
broc·co·li ˈbrä-kə-lē
ˈbrä-klē
: a vegetable that has green stalks and green or purplish clustered flower buds