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 var. dulce) with leafstalks eaten raw or cooked

Examples of celery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nutrient-dense water-rich foods such as watermelon, grapes, cucumbers and celery can also help travelers stay hydrated. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

Start by sautéing sturdier vegetables with a longer cook time, such as leeks, celery, and bell pepper to soften. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Her recipe includes pears, celery, cucumbers, parsley, ginger, and orange. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 22 July 2026

Tomatoes, roux and the Holy Trinity of diced onions, celery and green bell peppers are the foundation for many a Creole dish. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 20 July 2026

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