leek

American  

[leek] / lik /

noun

1. a cultivated plant, Allium ampeloprasum, of the amaryllis family, related to the onion, with a long cylindrical bundle of straplike leaves that are used in cooking, especially the paler portion near the base.

2. any of various onion-related plants, especially the wild leek, Allium ampeloprasum, from which the culinary leek was cultivated.

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leek British  

/ liːk /

noun

1. Also called: scallion.  an alliaceous plant, Allium porrum, with a slender white bulb, cylindrical stem, and broad flat overlapping leaves: used in cooking

2. any of several related species, such as A. ampeloprasum (wild leek)

3. a leek, or a representation of one, as a national emblem of Wales

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Etymology

Origin of leek

First recorded before 1000; from Middle English lek, leck, leike; Old English lēac, lēc, lēc; cognate with German Lauch, Dutch look, Old Norse laukr

Example Sentences

The Labour representative for Leek West on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council added he had previously warned about hazards and anti-social behaviour at the building.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Classic French Watercress is basically Potato Leek with watercress added, but that is not the case here.

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2025

This helps explain how an ingredient called tara flour was able to sicken hundreds of people who consumed French Lentil + Leek Crumbles, a meat replacement product sold by Daily Harvest in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2024

They live in Leek in the Peak District, which Laura says can be particularly wet and cold, but cannot turn down the heating because of her husband's illness.

From BBC • Jul. 31, 2024

When I introduced myself to people when I was young, I said I was the son of Deng Leek.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau