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

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

On the same menu, you can have a humble leek vinaigrette next to more elevated truffle-esque offerings.

From Salon ● May 22, 2024

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

Wearing drill-sergeant regalia, Porowski instructs a group of hapless male shopper actors in such supermarket fundamentals as distinguishing celery from leeks, checking expiration dates and identifying ripe bananas.

From Salon ● Oct. 25, 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

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

"I do sometimes forage, usually for wild garlic and wild leeks," said Mrs Gather.

From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2025

I got some potatoes, leeks, cream, and a loaf of fresh French bread that been teasin’ my nose all day, charge them to Lizabeth, and head for home.

From "Girls Like Us" by Gail Giles

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