Definition of "vanilla" []

• Any of various tropical American vines of the genus Vanilla in the orchid family, especially V. planifolia, cultivated for its long narrow seedpods from which a flavoring agent is obtained. (noun)
• The seedpod of this plant. Also called vanilla bean. (noun)
• A flavoring extract prepared from the cured seedpods of this plant or produced synthetically. (noun)
• Flavored with vanilla: vanilla pudding. (adjective)
• Lacking adornments or special features; basic or ordinary: "We went through a period of vanilla cars” ( Charles Jordan). (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "A third sort, which comes from Brazil, is the _vanillon_, or large vanilla of the French market; the _vanilla pamprona_ or _bova_ of the"
• "But "I've just added Fluffer Nutter to our baking schedule," Michelle said last week, which she described as vanilla cake with marshmallow filling, a peanut frosting, a dollop of marshmallows and a drizzle of honey on top."
• "No matter what type of ice cream I try, the vanilla is always a disapointment."