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
Recent Examples on the Web
Mushrooms, parsnips, beets, and carrots are still having their moment.
—
Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
Carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes work together to create a gorgeous orange-hued soup that's supremely versatile.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2023
Cook, partly covered, for 1 hour. Stir in the carrots, parsnips, turnips, barley, 1 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2024
Bake a savory carrot ribbon tart for a unique and flavorful pastry, or whip up a hearty parsnip and apple soup to keep you warm until spring arrives.
—Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
Kai's four-course menu includes dishes such as Celebration of Arizona Mushrooms, made with wheat berry and black garlic risotto, parsnip and apple puree, fungi and herb tea.
—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2024
Onions, carrots, celery, garlic, parsnips and leeks all make good flavor bases.
—Ben Jarrell, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Cover the potatoes with half the sweet potatoes in the same way; then the celeriac; then the remaining sweet potatoes; then the parsnips.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 7 Jan. 2024
Young recommends that hard vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips and broccoli stems, be cut into 1/4-inch dice.
—Becky Krystal, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
Carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes work together to create a gorgeous orange-hued soup that's supremely versatile.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2023
Cook, partly covered, for 1 hour. Stir in the carrots, parsnips, turnips, barley, 1 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2024
Bake a savory carrot ribbon tart for a unique and flavorful pastry, or whip up a hearty parsnip and apple soup to keep you warm until spring arrives.
—Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
Kai's four-course menu includes dishes such as Celebration of Arizona Mushrooms, made with wheat berry and black garlic risotto, parsnip and apple puree, fungi and herb tea.
—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2024
Onions, carrots, celery, garlic, parsnips and leeks all make good flavor bases.
—Ben Jarrell, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Cover the potatoes with half the sweet potatoes in the same way; then the celeriac; then the remaining sweet potatoes; then the parsnips.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 7 Jan. 2024
Young recommends that hard vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips and broccoli stems, be cut into 1/4-inch dice.
—Becky Krystal, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parsnip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Parsnip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parsnip. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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