# artichoke

/ˈɑɹtəˌtʃoʊk/ (US) · /ˈɑːtɪtʃˌəʊk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/artichoke
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a large, thorny vegetable that looks like a flower. You eat the soft part inside after cooking it, and the leaves have a fuzzy center that tastes good.

For teachers: a large, edible thistle with a fleshy, edible head. The plant is cultivated for its immature flower buds, which are typically boiled or steamed before consumption.

## Examples

- We grilled an artichoke and ate it with lemon juice.
- The chef prepared a whole artichoke by boiling it until the leaves were tender enough to pull off.
- While often associated with Mediterranean cuisine, the artichoke has a long history in the Americas, where it was cultivated by indigenous peoples long before European contact.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.