In the botanical world, definitions are precise.

A fruit, strictly speaking, is the mature ovary of a plant, typically containing seeds.

This definition means that several items we consume as, quote-unquote, vegetables, like tomatoes and bell peppers, are technically fruit.

On the flip side, the term vegetable is more of a culinary classification rather than a strict botanical one.

It broadly covers edible plant parts, including leaves, like lettuce, stem, like asparagus, roots, like carrots, and even flowers, like broccoli.

From a nutritional perspective, USDA's website describes vegetable groups as any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice, counting as part of the vegetable group.

The vegetables, which may be raw or cooked, fresh, frozen, canned or dried, slushed, dehydrated, and may be whole, cut up, mashed, or organized into five subgroups. 1.

Dark green vegetables.

Dark green vegetables are known for their rich vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content, which include staples like spinach, kale, and broccoli. 2.

Beans and peas.

Beans and peas are a nutritious and protein-rich category of vegetables that include versatile options like black beans, lentils, and chickpeas. 3.

Starchy vegetables.

Starchy vegetables are recognized for their higher carbohydrate content, and include various vegetables like potatoes, corns, and acorn squash. 4.

Red and orange vegetables.

They are often celebrated for their beta-carotene and antioxidant levels, including colorful options such as tomatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes. 5.

Other vegetables.

This encompass a wide range of nutritionally diverse options, including vegetables like cauliflower, cucumbers, and eggplants.

Botanically speaking, a variety of food items including tomatoes, avocados, and cucumbers are categorized as fruit based on their seed-bearing structure.

However, due to their nutritional profile, common use in savory dishes, and flavor characteristics, they are nutritionally recognized as vegetables.

Conversely, the fruit group embraces botanical fruits that are notably sweet or tart, aligning with common consumer perceptions.

Given this definition is clear, carrots are a vegetable.

Specifically, they fall under the category of root vegetables, sharing this designation with other underground vegetables like beet, radishes, and potatoes.

And depending on the colors of the carrot, it can or cannot be orange vegetables.

Notice that while potato is considered a root vegetable, specifically, it's a tuber, which is a large underground stem that store nutrients.

While potatoes grow underground like many other root vegetables, they differ slightly in that they are the plant's stem, rather than its actual root.