Illustration of asparagus
asparagus
noun
as·par·a·gus ə-ˈsper-ə-gəs 
-ˈspa-rə-
plural asparagus
: any of a genus (Asparagus of the family Asparagaceae, the asparagus family) of Old World perennial plants having much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow usually filiform branchlets that function as leaves
especially : one (A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its edible young shoots
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Great options include broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, carrots, green beans, snap peas, snow peas, corn and asparagus spears. 
Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 23 Aug. 2022 Bluefish that’s quickly cured and seared with a blowtorch, then served with a fruit and basil salad, cauliflower purée and a buttermilk whey and asparagus sauce. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2022 Add fresh asparagus to the grill and top the stalks with melted butter and fresh dill. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2022 The casual menu includes starters like summery courgette carpaccio with feta, wild strawberries and hazelnuts for a little extra crunch and trusty stracciatella with green asparagus. Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Add some chopped asparagus and a pinch of salt to the hot pan. Washington Post, 3 June 2021 Et Voila has a three-course menu, including asparagus gratin and mussels in endive sauce, for $55.95, with an optional beer pairing, as well as a la carte options. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 21 July 2022 Don’t let spring pass by without making at least one of our best asparagus recipes. Mehreen Karim, Bon Appétit, 27 May 2022 In her take on this dish, whose variations ranged from including meat and broad beans to chickpeas and yogurt, the vibrant flavors of spring (and the wild asparagus fields of the Levant) provide inspiration. New York Times, 6 May 2022 See More
Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 23 Aug. 2022 Bluefish that’s quickly cured and seared with a blowtorch, then served with a fruit and basil salad, cauliflower purée and a buttermilk whey and asparagus sauce. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2022 Add fresh asparagus to the grill and top the stalks with melted butter and fresh dill. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2022 The casual menu includes starters like summery courgette carpaccio with feta, wild strawberries and hazelnuts for a little extra crunch and trusty stracciatella with green asparagus. Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Add some chopped asparagus and a pinch of salt to the hot pan. Washington Post, 3 June 2021 Et Voila has a three-course menu, including asparagus gratin and mussels in endive sauce, for $55.95, with an optional beer pairing, as well as a la carte options. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 21 July 2022 Don’t let spring pass by without making at least one of our best asparagus recipes. Mehreen Karim, Bon Appétit, 27 May 2022 In her take on this dish, whose variations ranged from including meat and broad beans to chickpeas and yogurt, the vibrant flavors of spring (and the wild asparagus fields of the Levant) provide inspiration. New York Times, 6 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, genus name, from Latin, asparagus plant, from Greek asparagos; perhaps akin to Greek spargan to swell
First Known Use
1543, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
asparagus
noun
as·par·a·gus ə-ˈsper-ə-gəs
: a vegetable that is the young shoots of a garden plant related to the lilies that lives for many years
Medical Definition
asparagus
noun
as·par·a·gus ə-ˈspar-ə-gəs
1
capitalized : a genus of Old World perennial herbs (family Asparagaceae) having erect much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow filiform branchlets that function as leaves
2
a
: any plant of the genus Asparagus
especially : a plant (A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its tender edible young shoots
b
: the root of cultivated asparagus formerly used as a diuretic