spinach

[ spin-ich ]

noun

1. a plant, Spinacia oleracea, cultivated for its edible, crinkly or flat leaves.
2. the leaves.

spinach

/ ˈspɪnɪdʒ; -ɪtʃ /

noun

1. a chenopodiaceous annual plant, Spinacia oleracea, cultivated for its dark green edible leaves
2. the leaves of this plant, eaten as a vegetable

Other Words From

• spinach·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinach¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English spinache, spinage, spinarch, from Anglo-French spinache, from Old French espinache, espinage, espinoche, from Medieval Latin spinargium, spinachium, spinarchium, ultimately from Arabic isfānākh, isfināj, perhaps from Persian isfānāj, ispānāk, aspānāk

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinach¹

C16: from Old French espinache, from Old Spanish espinaca, from Arabic isfānākh, from Persian

Example Sentences

Napa cabbage is also sometimes called celery cabbage, perhaps an indication of a similar flavor profile, and bok choy reminds some people of spinach.

From Washington Post

Tournedos Rossini — blushing beef tenderloin paired with foie gras — rests on sauteed spinach alongside buttery potato puree.

From Washington Post

Swiss chard, though not actually from Switzerland but from the Mediterranean, is a beautiful vegetable with bright stems and deep-green leaves, quite as easily used as spinach.

From Washington Post

Over the past weekend, the FDA added baby spinach to the list, another common culprit, for potential Salmonella contamination.

From Ars Technica

Each type of seaweed can be prepared differently, from drying and eating as a snack to preparing like spinach, making into tea, seasoning meat, and making sauces.

From Popular-Science

How is life worth living without spinach, tender asparagus, or purple-sprouting broccoli?

From The Daily Beast

It was my job to cook the vegetables, one of which was creamed spinach.

From The Daily Beast

I should also think about having a protein shake with kale and spinach for breakfast every morning.

From The Daily Beast

I want more spinach and less sugar in this big meal we give viewers.

From The Daily Beast

But regular broccoli will do; also rough greens—spinach, kale, dandelion greens, Swiss chard.

From The Daily Beast

Here Justin entered with a steaming bowl of stewed moose meat and prairie spinach.

From Project Gutenberg

Vegetables, however, of any kind are very scarce, though in the summer a species of spinach can be got in some places.

From Project Gutenberg

Make a mound of spinach pure in the centre of the dish, and place the pigeons around, standing up against the pure.

From Project Gutenberg

Even years afterward Peter could never look at spinach without blinking.

From Project Gutenberg

Lake tried the edible herbs and found them to be something like spinach in taste.

From Project Gutenberg