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.
In the Mugunkwa river valley, farmers who make banana wine more than tripled their output. — Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026 Meet the baker who turned cookie butter and banana cream into a 'pie baby' — and Iowa State Fair magic, with recipe. — Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 28 Aug. 2026 Add oil, honey and mashed bananas and beat until thick with wooden spoon. — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Desserts are chocolate pudding and Goldee’s banana pudding – or a swirl of the two. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 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

See All Rhymes for banana

Browse Nearby Words

banally
banana
banana belt
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Cite this Entry

“Banana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banana. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about banana

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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