leek

noun

ˈlēk 

plural leeks

: a biennial herbaceous plant (Allium porrum synonym A. ampeloprasum var. porrum) of the amaryllis family that is related to the garlic, onion and chive and is commonly grown as an annual for its mildly pungent linear leaves and especially for its cylindrical stemlike lower sheath of leaves

Illustration of leek

Examples of leek in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stretching late into the evening, a three-course dinner included leeks with sauce gribiche, steak au poivre, or squash tarte tatin followed—all with an obligatory side of fries, of course. —Avon Dorsey, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026

Baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, potato leek soup, potato salad—as a side dish or a comforting main, potatoes fit neatly into nearly every meal of the day. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026

Try making vichyssoise, a simple, smooth soup combining leeks and potatoes. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the garlic and leeks to the pot. —Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English lēac; akin to Old High German louh leek

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leek

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek

Kids Definition

leek

noun

ˈlēk 

: a garden herb closely related to the onion and grown for its mildly sharp-tasting leaves and thick stalk