Illustration of parsnip
: a Eurasian biennial herb (Pastinaca sativa) of the carrot family with large pinnate leaves and yellow flowers that is cultivated for its long tapered whitish root which is cooked as a vegetable
also
: the root
Did you know?
The word parsnip was borrowed into Middle English in the 14th century as a modification of the Old French word pasnaie, itself derived from the Latin noun pastinaca, meaning "parsnip" or "carrot." The scientific name for the parsnip, "Pastinaca sativa," still reflects this history. "Pastinaca," in turn, traces back to "pastinum," a Latin word for a small gardening tool used to make holes in the ground for the insertion of plants, seeds, or bulbs. "Parsnip" may also remind you of the name of another edible root, "turnip," and there's a possible explanation for the resemblance. The Middle English spelling of "parsnip" ("passenep") may have been influenced by "nepe," the old form of "turnip."
Examples of parsnip in a Sentence
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Crafted with seasonal ingredients, the menu features delights, such as parsnip and celery root bisque, a classic Manor House turkey dinner and indulgent wintry desserts.
—
Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Wild parsnips can grow up to 5 feet tall and produce an umbel of small yellow flower clusters in early summer.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2024
Get The Recipe 15 of 34 Instant Pot Creamy Root Vegetable Soup
This silky soup gets its vibrant color from carrots and sweet potatoes while parsnips, onion, and ginger add a depth of flavor.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024
Guests dined on seasonal menu items, including a roasted cauliflower steak with cauliflower puree, a goat cheese and pumpkin ravioli in a sage butter sauce, and braised short ribs with a celery root and parsnip puree.
—Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024
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Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Wild parsnips can grow up to 5 feet tall and produce an umbel of small yellow flower clusters in early summer.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2024
Get The Recipe 15 of 34 Instant Pot Creamy Root Vegetable Soup
This silky soup gets its vibrant color from carrots and sweet potatoes while parsnips, onion, and ginger add a depth of flavor.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024
Guests dined on seasonal menu items, including a roasted cauliflower steak with cauliflower puree, a goat cheese and pumpkin ravioli in a sage butter sauce, and braised short ribs with a celery root and parsnip puree.
—Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for parsnip
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Cite this Entry
“Parsnip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parsnip. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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parsnip
noun
pars·nip
ˈpär-snəp 
: a Eurasian herb related to the carrot and grown for its long white root which is cooked as a vegetable
also
: this root
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