lettuce

American  

[let-is] / ˈlɛt ɪs /

noun

1. a cultivated plant, Lactuca sativa, occurring in many varieties and having succulent leaves used for salads.

2. any species of Lactuca.

3. Slang. U.S. dollar bills; greenbacks.

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lettuce British  

/ ˈlɛtɪs /

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Lactuca, esp L. sativa, which is cultivated in many varieties for its large edible leaves: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. the leaves of any of these varieties, which are eaten in salads

3. any of various plants that resemble true lettuce, such as lamb's lettuce and sea lettuce

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Etymology

Origin of lettuce

1250–1300; 1925–30 lettuce for def. 3; Middle English letuse, apparently < Old French laitues, plural of laitue < Latin lactūca a lettuce, perhaps derivative of lac, stem lact- milk, with termination as in erūca rocket ² (or by association with Greek galaktoûchos having milk)

Example Sentences

She said she had her own small patch where she grew radishes and lettuce, while learning the importance of patience for gardening.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

“If you buy a whole head of lettuce, you’re going to have some waste in there,” Lempert said.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

Michael Hull, a retired lettuce farmer, says he is aware of the duplex mania.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Her refrigerator is full of iceberg lettuce, ranch dressing and Diet Coke.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

He dug a vegetable garden in the rich soil at Fire Mountain’s base and planted avocados, bananas, lettuce, oranges, pineapples, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes, and bamboo for making pipes and useful things.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr

Related Words

• bread
• cabbage