lettuce

American  

[let-is] / ˈlɛt ɪs /

noun

1. a cultivated plant, Lactuca sativa, occurring in many varieties and having succulent leaves used for salads.

2. any species of Lactuca.

3. Slang. U.S. dollar bills; greenbacks.

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lettuce British  

/ ˈlɛtɪs /

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Lactuca, esp L. sativa, which is cultivated in many varieties for its large edible leaves: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. the leaves of any of these varieties, which are eaten in salads

3. any of various plants that resemble true lettuce, such as lamb's lettuce and sea lettuce

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Etymology

Origin of lettuce

1250–1300; 1925–30 lettuce for def. 3; Middle English letuse, apparently < Old French laitues, plural of laitue < Latin lactūca a lettuce, perhaps derivative of lac, stem lact- milk, with termination as in erūca rocket ² (or by association with Greek galaktoûchos having milk)

Example Sentences

She said she had her own small patch where she grew radishes and lettuce, while learning the importance of patience for gardening.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

If you’re getting tomatoes and lettuce for your burgers, expect them to cost around 20% more than they did last year — and make a plan for how you can use any leftovers.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

Michael Hull, a retired lettuce farmer, says he is aware of the duplex mania.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Walnuts, avocados, peaches, lettuce, beans, grapes, tomatoes, olives, berries, onions, and, from La Mirada to Malibu, fields of commercial flowers.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

As I got dressed, I heard farm workers warming their car engines before leaving to look for work picking carrots or thinning lettuce.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

Related Words

• bread
• cabbage