leek
Americannoun
-
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.
-
any of various onion-related plants, especially the wild leek, Allium ampeloprasum, from which the culinary leek was cultivated.
noun
-
Also called: scallion. an alliaceous plant, Allium porrum, with a slender white bulb, cylindrical stem, and broad flat overlapping leaves: used in cooking
-
any of several related species, such as A. ampeloprasum (wild leek)
-
a leek, or a representation of one, as a national emblem of Wales
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Among England's Tudor rose, Scotland's thistle, the Welsh leek and the Irish shamrock are the Canadian maple leaf and India's lotus flower.
From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2025
Just add hot water to unleash flavors of mushroom, leek, seafood and more.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025
Leek fritters with a gummy texture registered all dough, no leek, with the exteriors over-salted such that eating more became unappealing.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 7, 2023
This deeply satisfying mushroom and leek pasta is made in one pot.
From New York Times ● May 10, 2023
“It’s leek and potato stew with a tarragon garnish and melted Gruyere cheese,” he admitted.
From "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman
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
For his ramp-themed dinner, Jaranilla put together a five-course tasting menu to showcase the versatility of the allium, in the same family as garlic, leeks and onions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026
St David and his monks led a very simple and austere life, living off only leeks and water.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2026
After making speeches, the royal couple took part in the annual tradition of presenting handmade leeks to officers and soldiers to wear on their chests.
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2025
Bunches of herbs—I recognized parsley, sage, and rosemary—hung from the ceiling, as did onions and leeks.
From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
