allium

American  

[al-ee-uhm] / ˈæl i əm /

noun

1. any bulbous plant belonging to the genus Allium, of the amaryllis family, having an onion odor and flowers in a round cluster, including the onion, leek, shallot, garlic, and chive.

2. a substance occurring in garlic bulbs that has antibiotic properties.

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allium British  

/ ˈælɪəm /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Allium, such as the onion, garlic, shallot, leek, or chive: family Alliaceae

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Etymology

Origin of allium

1800–10; < New Latin, Latin: garlic

Example Sentences

Onions — and their extended allium family, which includes garlic, leeks, shallots, chives and scallions—are nature’s greatest flavor amplifiers.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2025

The result is a dish with pure sweet-potato flavor accented by fresh notes of allium and nutty sesame seeds.

From Washington Times • Nov. 28, 2023

What does your taste tell you about what would go well with it, in terms of allium and fresh herbs?

From Seattle Times • May 23, 2023

During a helicopter trip through California’s Klamath Mountains, Julie Kierstead, a research associate with the academy, stumbled upon an unfamiliar species of allium — the group of flowering plants including onions, garlic and shallots.

From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2023

Here and there a solitary round-headed allium nods from the top of its long leafless stem.

From Wanderings by southern waters, eastern Aquitaine by Barker, Edward Harrison