plant with an elongated head of broad stalked leaves resembling celery; used as a vegetable in east Asia
"The chef chopped the crisp napa into thin strips to stir-fry with garlic and ginger."
Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis, a kind of Chinese cabbage.
"The chef sliced fresh napa into thin strips to make a crisp salad."
In plain English: Napa is a fancy type of wine made from grapes grown in California's Napa Valley region.
"The napa cabbage in my stir-fry was crisp and fresh."
Usage: Napa refers specifically to the crisp, pale green leafy vegetable used in Asian cuisine and slaws, distinct from regular cabbage which has tighter leaves and a stronger flavor. It is often confused with bok choy due to similar appearances but differs by having broader, flatter leaves that form an elongated head rather than separate stalks and leaves.
A city, the county seat of Napa County, California, United States.
"The vineyards surrounding the historic downtown district make a trip to napa an essential stop for any wine enthusiast visiting Northern California."
The word napa comes from the Japanese term nappa, which originally meant the leaves of any vegetable. It entered English as a specific name for cabbage or lettuce varieties with large, pale leaves.