celery

noun

cel·​ery ˈse-lə-rē 

ˈsel-rē

plural celeries

: a European herb (Apium graveolens) of the carrot family

specifically : one of a cultivated variety (A. graveolens dulce) with leafstalks eaten raw or cooked

Examples of celery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Apples, kale, onions, oranges, grapes, celery, berries, grapefruit, red wine, tea, legumes, and soybeans all contain flavonoids. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 7 June 2024

According to the ingredient list, the spicy pickle flavor comes from dill, celery, garlic, onion powder, red chili pepper, and vinegar, among other things. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 June 2024

In a 5- to 6-quart stainless-steel, enamel, or nonstick heavy pot, combine vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, peppercorns, and turmeric. —Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2024

Water content for fruits and vegetables varies dramatically, but watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, spinach, cabbage, celery, lettuce, and squash are all at least 90% water. —Perri Ormont Blumberg, TIME, 20 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French céleri (17th-century celeris, sceleri, Middle French scellerin), borrowed from an Upper Italian form (as Ligurian sèlarʼu, Lombard sèleri), altered from Vulgar Latin *selinum (Late Latin selīnon), borrowed from Greek sélīnon, perhaps from a pre-Greek substratal language

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing celery

• celery cabbage
• celery root
• wild celery

Kids Definition

celery

noun

cel·​ery ˈsel-(ə-)rē 

plural celeries

: a European herb related to the carrot and widely grown for the thick edible stems

also : the stems of celery used for food