Tomato Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

tomato

/təˈmeɪtoʊ/ Brit /təˈmɑːtəʊ/

noun

plural

tomatoes

plural

tomatoes

Britannica Dictionary definition of TOMATO

:

a round, soft, red fruit that is eaten raw or cooked and that is often used in salads, sandwiches, sauces, etc.

  • crushed tomatoes

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often used before another noun

  • tomato soup/sauce/paste/juice

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see color picture on this page; see also cherry tomato, plum tomato

Tomato Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

FAQs

Tomato Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary? ›

Britannica Dictionary definition of TOMATO. [count] : a round, soft, red fruit that is eaten raw or cooked and that is often used in salads, sandwiches, sauces, etc. crushed tomatoes.

What is the best definition of tomato? ›

1. : the usually large, rounded, edible, pulpy berry of an herb (genus Solanum) of the nightshade family native to South America that is typically red but may be yellow, orange, green, or purplish in color and is eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable. 2. : a plant that produces tomatoes.

What is the meaning of tomato in Oxford dictionary? ›

a soft fruit with a lot of juice and shiny red skin that is eaten as a vegetable either raw or cooked.

What does it mean when someone says tomatoes? ›

“Tomato” is a retro term from the “Mad Men” era used to describe a woman who exudes confidence and knows her way around. Tomatoes are not defined by age or labels like boomers – but are all about living and enjoying life fully, at every age and every stage.

Which word describes tomatoes? ›

lycopersicum, bearing a mildly acid, pulpy, usually red fruit eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable. the fruit itself.

What is the original meaning of the word tomato? ›

The tomato is a native of the lower Andes, cultivated by the Aztecs in Mexico. The Aztec word 'tomatl' meant simply "plump fruit" and the Spanish conquerors called it "tomate".

What is tomato short answer? ›

The tomato (/təmeɪtoʊ/ or /təmɑːtoʊ/) is the edible berry of the plant Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as the tomato plant. The species originated in western South America, Mexico, and Central America.

What is the scientific meaning of tomato? ›

tomato, (Solanum lycopersicum), flowering plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), cultivated extensively for its edible fruits. Labelled as a vegetable for nutritional purposes, tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C and the phytochemical lycopene.

What does the tomato symbolize? ›

Many people also believe that it symbolizes life, love, and fertility. This may be because the tomato is red and red is the color of romance and passion. But it's also because most ripe fruits represent fertility. Versatility, Anger, Pain, Variety and Good Luck and Health to just name a few.

What does the name tomatoes mean? ›

Since the tomato is native to South America, it makes sense that its name is based in the Spanish tomate, and can be traced to the Aztecs, whose language, Nahuatl, contained the word tomatl, or "the swelling fruit." In 1519, Cortez brought tomato seeds to Spain, where the plant was grown as an ornament but not for ...

What is the meaning of tomato in the Urban Dictionary? ›

Urban Dictionary: arguing semantics. “bickering about irrelevant, unimportant details rather than the original main point.”

What is the informal meaning of tomato? ›

An attractive young woman. Webster's New World. (slang) A stupid act or person.

What does tomato girl mean? ›

Contrary to the name, being a tomato girl has nothing to do with enjoying the fruit or tomato sauce, but instead centers around everything that could come to mind when thinking of tomatoes: lounging in the Italian summer weather, drinking spritz co*cktails and also wearing breezy outfits that incorporate a red-themed ...

What does tomato mean in a text? ›

In this case, "tomato" is being used as a replacement for "you know" or other similar phrases. Using a code word or phrase like "tomato" can be a way to add some humor or playfulness to a conversation, or it can be a way to avoid using a phrase that the speaker may find overused or cliche.

What is the old name for tomatoes? ›

Along the way, the tomato was known by a number of names, including wolf peach and gold apple. In France, it was called a love apple (pomme d'amour) and thought to be an aphrodisiac. Because the tomato was mistakenly considered to be poisonous by many, it was referred to as the "poison apple."

What was the nickname for tomatoes? ›

The scientific name for tomatoes has changed over the centuries, with the original one meaning “wolf peach,” and one of the revisions meaning “edible wolf peach.” A common tomato nickname is the “love apple,” and multiple places online state that the Aztec name translates into “plump thing with a naval” (which makes ...

What is the description of a tomato? ›

The tomato fruit is globular or ovoid. Botanically, the fruit exhibits all of the common characteristics of berries; a simple fleshy fruit that encloses its seed in the pulp. The outer skin is a thin and fleshy tissue that comprises the remainder of the fruit wall as well as the placenta.

What is the scientific definition of a tomato? ›

tomato, (Solanum lycopersicum), flowering plant of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), cultivated extensively for its edible fruits.

What is the meaning of Tomate? ›

noun. tomato [noun] a type of fleshy, juicy fruit, usually red, used in salads, sauces etc. We had a salad of lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers.

What's the best thing about tomatoes? ›

Tomatoes offer several research-backed benefits, including protection for brain, heart, and gut health. The fruit, which some consider a vegetable, is also a source of nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. There might be some risks associated with tomatoes, depending on your health status.

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