Plantain: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'plantain' when referring to the larger, starchy variety of banana that is typically cooked before eating. Commonly used in many Latin American, Caribbean, and African cuisines.

• I made a delicious tostones dish with fried plantains.
• Plantains are great for making savory dishes like mofongo.

Used mostly in regions where the differentiation between plantains and sweet bananas isn't commonly known. It emphasizes the fact that this type of banana is best suited for cooking rather than eating raw.

• For the recipe, you'll need some cooking bananas to make the stew.
• Cooking bananas are firmer and less sweet than the bananas you eat raw.

This refers to a banana that is not yet ripe and therefore less sweet. Typically used in a different culinary context for both regular bananas and plantains when they are still green and firm.

• Boiled green bananas are a traditional dish in some cultures.
• Green bananas can be sliced thin and fried for a crunchy snack.

Commonly used in culinary contexts, particularly referring to a starchy fruit similar to a banana that is often cooked before eating. It is popular in Caribbean, African, and Latin American cuisines.

• I made fried plantains for dinner last night.
• Plantains are a staple food in many tropical countries.

More formal or scientific term, generally used in botanical or agricultural contexts to refer to the genus of plants that includes bananas and plantains.

• The Musa genus includes several species of bananas and plantains.
• Researchers are studying Musa plants to improve crop yields.

Typically used to refer to the actual plant that produces the fruit, rather than the fruit itself. It can be used in gardening, botany, or agricultural contexts.

• The plantain plant can grow quite tall if given the right conditions.
• They have a few plantain plants growing in their backyard.