potato

noun

po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtā-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce potato (audio)
-tə
dialectal pə-ˈdā-, 
bə- How to pronounce potato (audio)
plural potatoes
often attributive
1
: sweet potato
2
a
: an erect South American herb (Solanum tuberosum) of the nightshade family widely cultivated for its edible starchy tuber
b
: the tuber of a potato

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato

Illustration of potato

Illustration of potato
  • potato 2a

Examples of potato in a Sentence

She's growing carrots and potatoes in her garden this year.
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.
From Burbank to West Covina, lines tend to form out the door at each of the chain’s locations, with patrons ordering boxes of their signature potato balls, cheese rolls and other pastries. — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 People looking on, some still munching on mini quiche and green-chile breakfast potatoes, laughed. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 The menu will also feature two dishes which will rotate weekly, such as pasta Puttanesca and chicken piccata with mashed potatoes. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Bags of mashed potatoes, beans and mac and cheese in the water of a steam holding unit, reheating. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for potato

Word History

Etymology

Spanish batata, from Taino

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of potato was in 1565

Phrases Containing potato

Rhymes for potato

See All Rhymes for potato

Browse Nearby Words

potation
potato
potato alcohol
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Potato.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potato. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

potato

noun
po·​ta·​to pə-ˈtāt-ō How to pronounce potato (audio) pət-ˈāt- How to pronounce potato (audio)
plural potatoes
1
: sweet potato sense 1
2
a
: an erect South American herb widely cultivated for its thick starchy edible underground tubers
b
: one of these edible tubers

called also Irish potato, spud, white potato

More from Merriam-Webster on potato

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about potato

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