carrot

noun

car·​rot ˈker-ət How to pronounce carrot (audio)
ˈka-rət
1
: a biennial herb (Daucus carota of the family Apiaceae synonym Umbelliferae, the carrot family) with a usually orange spindle-shaped edible root
also : its root
2
: a reward or advantage offered especially as an inducement
The company offered a carrot in the form of additional vacation time to workers who met their deadlines.

Examples of carrot in a Sentence

She chopped some carrots for the soup. He added some grated carrot to the soup. The company offered a carrot in the form of additional vacation time to workers who met their deadlines.
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.
Fill turkey cavity with 1 large onion, coarsely chopped, 2 large carrots, scrubbed, coarsely chopped, 2 celery stalks, coarsely chopped, and some thyme, rosemary, and/or sage sprigs; keep packing loose. — Alton Brown, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026 The Polaris dazzles with tequila, mezcal, blackberry syrup, and a touch of citrus air foam, while the Hydra balances gin, mastiha, carrot, celery, and a bright, zesty twist of lime. — Jaclyn Degiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 At weddings, brides proudly wear a heavy matrimonial collar, an accessory more often associated with the stockade, while grooms strap carrots to their crotches and waggle them at goats. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Pairing hummus with raw vegetables, such as carrots, bell peppers, or broccoli, adds crunch and additional fiber. — Brianna Tobritzhofer, HEALTH, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for carrot

Word History

Etymology

Middle French carotte, from Late Latin carota, from Greek karōton

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carrot was in 1533

Phrases Containing carrot

Rhymes for carrot

See All Rhymes for carrot

Browse Nearby Words

carrosserie
carrot
carrot-and-stick
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carrot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrot. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

carrot

noun
car·​rot ˈkar-ət How to pronounce carrot (audio)
: the long orange edible root of a common garden plant that is eaten as a vegetable
also : a plant that produces a carrot

Medical Definition

carrot

noun
car·​rot ˈkar-ət How to pronounce carrot (audio)
: a biennial plant of the genus Daucus (D. carota of the family Apiaceae synonym Umbelliferae, the carrot family) that bears seeds which have been used especially as a diuretic and stimulant and that in cultivated varieties has a yellow or orange-red tapering root which is used as a vegetable
also : its root

More from Merriam-Webster on carrot

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carrot

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