# Cavendish

/ˈkævəndɪʃ/ (US) · /kˈævəndˌɪʃ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cavendish
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the most common type of banana sold in shops around the world. It is known for being sweet and having a thick skin that makes it easy to ship.

For teachers: the most widely traded cultivar of banana, belonging to the Musa acuminata species. It replaced the Gros Michel variety in the mid-20th century due to its resistance to Panama disease.

## Examples

- Most supermarkets only sell the Cavendish variety of banana.
- While there are hundreds of banana types, the global export market is dominated almost entirely by the Cavendish.
- Agricultural scientists are currently searching for a successor to the Cavendish, as a new strain of fungus threatens to wipe out these genetically identical plantations worldwide.

## Usage notes

- Usually capitalized when referring to the specific cultivar; treated as uncountable when referring to the fruit as a commodity.

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