leach

¹ American  

[leech] / litʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to dissolve out soluble constituents from (ashes, soil, etc.) by percolation.

2. to cause (water or other liquid) to percolate through something.

---

verb (used without object)

1. (of ashes, soil, etc.) to undergo the action of percolating water.

2. to percolate, as water.

noun

1. the act or process of leaching.

2. a product or solution obtained by leaching; leachate.

3. the material leached.

4. a vessel for use in leaching.

leach ² American  

[leech] / litʃ /

noun

Nautical.

1. leech.

---

leach ¹ British  

/ liːtʃ /

verb

1. to remove or be removed from a substance by a percolating liquid

2. to lose or cause to lose soluble substances by the action of a percolating liquid

3. another word for percolate percolate

---

noun

1. the act or process of leaching

2. a substance that is leached or the constituents removed by leaching

3. a porous vessel for leaching

Leach ² British  

/ liːtʃ /

noun

1. Bernard ( Howell ). 1887–1979, British potter, born in Hong Kong

---

leach ³ British  

/ liːtʃ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of leech 2

---

Other Word Forms

• leachability noun
• leachable adjective
• leacher noun
• unleached adjective

Etymology

Origin of leach

1425–75; late Middle English leche leachate, infusion, probably Old English *læc ( e ), *lec ( e ), akin to leccan to wet, moisten, causative of leak

Example Sentences

“Underground and in-situ leach mining operations are also less exposed to diesel supply risks.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

However they said that their modelling study still does not take into account an array of other ways plastic could harm health, such as microplastics or chemicals that can leach out of food packaging.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

They found the most heavily contaminated nurdles were those burnt in the fire, which leach metals toxic to aquatic life, like arsenic, lead, cadmium, copper, cobalt and nickel.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2025

Even before the fire, few septic tanks and leach fields probably met current standards, which require substantially enhanced removal of pathogens.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2025

I don’t want a blanket, even if the marble continues to leach my body heat.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins