ETYM Spanish or Portu. tomate, of American Indian origin; cf. Mexican tomail.
1. Mildly acid red or yellow pulpy fruit eaten as a vegetable.
2. Native to South America; widely cultivated in many varieties; SYN. love apple, tomato plant, Lycopersicon esculentum.
Annual plant Lycopersicon esculentum of the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to South America. It is widely cultivated for the many-seeded red fruit (technically a berry), used in salads and cooking.
A genetically engineered tomato, the first genetically engineered food for sale, appeared in shops in California and Chicago May 1994.