banana

[buh-nan-uh] /bəˈnæn ə/
noun
1.
a tropical plant of the genus Musa, certain species of which are cultivated for their nutritious fruit.
Compare banana family.
2.
the fruit, especially that of M. paradisiaca, with yellow or reddish rind.
Origin
1590-1600; < Spanish < Portuguese (perhaps via Sp); akin to various words for banana or plantain in WAfr languages (e.g., Wolof, Malinke banana, Vai (Mande language of Liberia) bana), but ultimate source and direction of borrowing uncertain
Can be confused
banana, plantain.
Examples from the web for banana
  • Most of us have no idea what it costs to stand up for workplace democracy in this brave new banana republic.
  • The same goes for workers on the big banana plantations.
  • But a new study shows that banana peels can remove metal contamination from river water.
  • banana trees have these tightly coiled leaves coming up, and then the banana flowers lean down over that.
  • Through it all, a banana watches, mocking everyone around it as complete fools.
  • The banana provided icy, sweet body, the yogurt creamy tartness and the milk enough liquidity to make the whole thing drinkable.
  • Even in a banana republic there are sufficient regulations to ensure that bank operation is safe.
  • He was especially slow about eating a piece of banana he would savor it for the longest time.
  • At top right are baskets with carrying straps, with banana leaves used as covers.
  • Firms are investigating plants such as bamboo, seaweed, nettles and banana stalks as raw materials for textiles.
British Dictionary definitions for banana

banana

/bəˈnɑːnə/
noun
1.
any of several tropical and subtropical herbaceous treelike plants of the musaceous genus Musa, esp M. sapientum, a widely cultivated species propagated from suckers and having hanging clusters of edible fruit
2.
the crescent-shaped fruit of any of these plants Compare plantain2
Word Origin
C16: from Spanish or Portuguese, of African origin
Word Origin and History for banana
n.

1590s, borrowed by Spanish or Portuguese from a West African word, possibly Wolof banana. The plant was introduced to the New World from Africa in 1516. Top banana, second banana, etc. are 1950s, from show business slang use of banana for "comedian, especially in a burlesque show." Banana split first attested 1920. Banana oil "nonsense" is slang from c.1910.

Slang definitions & phrases for banana

banana

noun
  1. A comedian, esp in a burlesque show •These performers were ranked as ''top banana,'' ''second banana,'' etc (1950s+ Show business)
  2. A sexually attractive light-skinned black woman Considered offensive by the women to whom this term is applied (1940s+ Black)
  3. The penis (1916+)
  4. An Oriental sympathetic with and part of the white majority society •Because white on the inside though yellow on the outside (1980s+)
  5. A patient with jaundice (1980s+ Medical)
  6. A fool; an idiot •Attested as college slang in 1989, probably based on bananas (1920+)
  7. A crazy person; loony (1970s+)
Related Terms

have one's banana peeled, top banana


Related Abbreviations for banana

BANANA

build absolutely nothing anywhere near anybody
Idioms and Phrases with banana

banana

In addition to the idiom beginning with
banana
also see: