banana

/bəˈnɑː.nə/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: bananas

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An elongated curved tropical fruit of a banana plant, which grows in bunches and has a creamy flesh and a smooth skin.

Noun

Examples

Jimmy had a banana for breakfast.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An elongated curved tropical fruit of a banana plant, which grows in bunches and has a creamy flesh and a smooth skin. — In particular, the sweet, yellow fruit of the Cavendish banana cultivar, which may be eaten raw, as distinct from e.g. a plantain for cooking.

NounRegister: UK, US

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Curved like a banana, especially of a ball in flight.

Adjective

Examples

Even the lowly banana ball, the bane of so many weekenders, sometimes can be exactly right, as in this case.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

One who objects to the building of any structure in their neighbourhood or a certain type of structure anywhere, especially in public policy debate.

NounRegister: humorous, informal

Examples

David Taylor (Letters, January 23) does not appear to be aware that the NIMBY syndrome, with all its parochial overtones, has been superseded by the all embracing BANANA syndrome – Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “banana” mean?

An elongated curved tropical fruit of a banana plant, which grows in bunches and has a creamy flesh and a smooth skin.

Is “banana” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.