VEGETABLE

[esp. UK] [informal] veg (plural veg), [esp. US] and ANZ [informal] veggie [noun] [C] - (a part of) a plant that is used as food, particularly in savoury dishesThe potato is the most popular vegetable in Britain.The current trend for healthy eating has led to a rise in demand for fresh green vegetables.His diet consisted mainly of meat and white bread and included very little fresh fruit and vegetables.In the winter we tend to eat more root vegetables, such as carrots and parsnips.Raw vegetables contain more potassium than cooked ones.Each main dish is served with an assortment of seasonal vegetables.We had vegetable soup/curry for dinner.California produces almost half the US fruit and vegetable crop.Barbara and Tom created a vegetable garden at the back of the house and sold their produce at the local market.A vegetable knife is a small sharp knife used for cutting vegetables.Compare fruit (PLANT PART).See picture: VegetablesVegetable can also sometimes mean any plant, especially in the question 'animal, vegetable or mineral?', asked in a guessing game.(figurative) The driver was killed in the car crash and his passenger was left a vegetable (= unable to think or move correctly because of severe brain damage). This usage can be considered offensive.(figurative) Sitting at home all day in front of the TV slowly turned her into a vegetable (= a person who does not or cannot do anything).Vegetable oil is cooking oil made from plants.