lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈle-təs 

: any of a genus (Lactuca) of composite plants

especially : a common garden vegetable (L. sativa) whose succulent leaves are used especially in salads

Examples of lettuce in a Sentence

I like a little lettuce and tomato on my sandwiches.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cool-season crops like carrots, cabbage, lettuce, radishes, and broccoli can be sown in both spring and fall. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025

Serving their famous fried tacos with white corn tortilla, melted cheese, lettuce, and tomato. —Lori Punko, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025

Each burger is hand-packed with crisp lettuce, tomato, pickles and just a swipe of mustard — nothing unnecessary, nothing pretentious. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025

The Double ShackBurger — which typically costs $11 — stacks two quarter pound patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English letuse, from Anglo-French letuse, probably from plural of letue lettuce plant, from Latin lactuca, from lact-, lac milk; from its milky juice — more at galaxy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lettuce

• Bibb lettuce
• Boston lettuce
• butter lettuce
• cos lettuce
• devil's lettuce
• iceberg lettuce
• lamb's lettuce
• miner's lettuce
• sea lettuce

Rhymes for lettuce

• metis

Kids Definition

lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈlet-əs 

: a common garden vegetable related to the daisies that has crisp juicy leaves used especially in salads