less common spelling of leech
1
: either vertical edge of a square sail
2
: the after edge of a fore-and-aft sail
leached; leaching; leaches
1
: to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid
leach out alkali from ashes
2
: to subject to the action of percolating (see percolate sense 1a) liquid (such as water) in order to separate the soluble components
3
a
: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation (see percolate sense 1a)
soil leached of its salts by torrential rains
b
: to draw out or remove as if by percolation
all meaning has been leached from my life
: to pass out or through by percolation
Nutrients leached out of the soil with rainwater.
Examples of leach in a Sentence
Verb
Even a small amount of rain can leach the toxic material from the soil.
Certain kinds of treated wood can leach chemicals into the soil.
The chemical eventually leaches away from the soil.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 16 May 2024
The urine separator then diverts urine away from the solid waste, directing it into a separate container or an external leach field.
—Debbie Wolfe, Popular Science, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for leach 
Noun
Respondents especially loved how glass doesn’t absorb flavors, harbor bacteria, or leach chemicals like plastic.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 16 May 2024
The urine separator then diverts urine away from the solid waste, directing it into a separate container or an external leach field.
—Debbie Wolfe, Popular Science, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for leach
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leach.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near leach
Cite this Entry
“Leach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leach. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
leach
transitive verb1
: to subject to the action of percolating liquid (as water) in order to separate the soluble components
2
: to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid
: to pass out or through by percolation
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