Banana: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
banana
[bษหnษหnษ ]
Definition
tropical fruit
A long curved fruit with a yellow skin and soft, sweet flesh, typically eaten raw.
Synonyms
fruit, plantain, tropical fruit.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| banana |
Commonly used to refer to the yellow fruit that is sweet and commonly eaten fresh or used in desserts. It is a popular snack and is often found in breakfast foods like cereal or pancakes.
|
| plantain |
Refers to a type of banana that is starchy and less sweet, often used in cooking. Plantains are used in savory dishes and are popular in Latin American, Caribbean, and African cuisines.
|
| fruit |
A general term used to describe edible, sweet, and fleshy products of a tree or plant. It can refer to many kinds of produce including apples, oranges, and bananas. This word is used when talking about healthy eating, available snacks, or shopping lists.
|
| tropical fruit |
Used to describe fruits that grow in tropical climates. This term encompasses a variety of fruits such as bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and papayas. It is often used when talking about exotic flavors or vacation experiences.
|
Examples of usage
- Would you like a banana with your breakfast?
- She packed a banana in her lunch bag.
- The monkeys in the jungle love to eat bananas.
- I always add sliced bananas to my cereal in the morning.
- We bought a bunch of bananas at the grocery store.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'banana' is believed to come from the Arabic word 'banan', meaning 'finger', highlighting the fruit's shape.
- Originally, bananas were domesticated in Southeast Asia and then spread throughout the tropics.
- In some cultures, bananas are called by different names; for instance, in West Africa, they are referred to as 'dodo'.
Culinary
- Bananas are versatile in cooking; they can be eaten raw, cooked, used in smoothies, or baked in desserts.
- They are a key ingredient in the famous dessert 'banana foster', which features bananas sautรฉed in butter and brown sugar.
- Banana bread, a favorite comfort food, originated during the Great Depression when people repurposed overripe fruit.
Nutrition
- Rich in potassium, eating bananas can help maintain healthy blood pressure and heart function.
- They provide a quick source of energy due to their high carbohydrate content, making them a great snack before exercise.
- Bananas contain vitamins B6 and C, which are important for maintaining good health and immune functions.
Pop Culture
- The iconic cartoon character 'Curious George' often eats bananas, representing his mischievous and playful nature.
- In music, the hit song 'Yes, We Have No Bananas' humorously reflects a panic over the fruit's scarcity in the 1920s.
- The banana peel is a well-known comedic trope in movies and cartoons, often depicting slapstick humor when someone slips on it.
Botany
- Bananas grow in clusters called 'hands', and each hand can contain up to 20 bananas.
- The banana plant is technically considered a herb rather than a tree because its stem is made of tightly packed leaves.
- Though we often see yellow bananas, they can also be red or blue, showing the diversity within this popular fruit.
Translations
Translations of the word "banana" in other languages:
๐ต๐น banana
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคฒเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Banane
๐ฎ๐ฉ pisang
๐บ๐ฆ ะฑะฐะฝะฐะฝ
๐ต๐ฑ banan
๐ฏ๐ต ใใใ
๐ซ๐ท banane
๐ช๐ธ plรกtano
๐น๐ท muz
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฐ๋๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ูุฒ
๐จ๐ฟ banรกn
๐ธ๐ฐ banรกn
๐จ๐ณ ้ฆ่
๐ธ๐ฎ banana
๐ฎ๐ธ banani
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะฐะฝะฐะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ banan
๐ฒ๐ฝ plรกtano