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

In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, sliced fennel, celery, shallot, artichokes, capers, dill, and oregano. — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 10 Oct. 2026

The inspector reported that there were two carrots and one celery stalk that have white growth and decay in the container next to the juicer. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026

In this recipe, they’re paired with tuna, tender greens, peperoncini, and celery for a bright, savory salad. — Emily Laurence Sardinha, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026

Add the onion, carrots and celery and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 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