plantain meaning and definition

PLANTAIN noun

Definition of plantain (noun)

1. any of numerous plants of the genus Plantago; mostly small roadside or dooryard weeds with elliptic leaves and small spikes of very small flowers; seeds of some used medicinally
2. a banana tree bearing hanging clusters of edible angular greenish starchy fruits; tropics and subtropics
   • synonyms: Musa paradisiaca, plantain tree
3. starchy banana-like fruit; eaten (always cooked) as a staple vegetable throughout the tropics