<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>any tropical, climbing orchid of the genus <em>Vanilla</em>, especially <em>V. planifolia</em>, bearing podlike fruit yielding an extract used in flavoring food, in perfumery, etc.</li><li>Also called vanilla bean.</li><li>the fruit or bean of this orchid.</li><li>the extract of this fruit.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>containing or flavored with vanilla: vanilla custard.</li><li>Informal: plain vanilla.</li></ul>