leek

American  

[leek] / lik /

noun

• leeks
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• leeks
  plural

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

leek leeks

On the menu, honey-glazed lime chicken, roast sea bass, caramelised leek penne and an outrageously moreish passion fruit meringue.

From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2026

Just add hot water to unleash flavors of mushroom, leek, seafood and more.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

After embarking on a leek soup detox and discovering her “willpower,” Guiliano loses the weight, keeping it off even after her return to the States.

From Salon ● Mar. 3, 2025

And there are numerous vessels: vases, bowls, plates and a few palettes, including two that are narrow, delicate and slightly curved and seem cut from a single leaf of leek.

From New York Times ● Feb. 1, 2024

“It’s leek and potato stew with a tarragon garnish and melted Gruyere cheese,” he admitted.

From "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman

Luckily, farmers markets this time of year are full of spring produce that are right at home in a primavera: asparagus, snap peas, chives, leeks and fresh herbs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

The first step is to sauté leeks and garlic in olive oil, butter and, crucially, a bit of white miso.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

Murdoch uses a harvesting rig for leeks, but this year, because rain has forced dirt between the leaves, they are being gathered by hand into which affects his planning and costs.

From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2026

Matijevich prefers using fresh clams, which are added after the carrots, celery and leeks have been sautéed.

From Salon ● Feb. 20, 2026

She sliced eggplants for borani, and cooked leeks and ground beef for aushak.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

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