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

Volunteers from Abraxas High School Garden attended with tubs full of green peppers, cucumbers, leeks, kale and lettuce. —Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026

Choose firm leeks with bright green tops. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026

Velvety Green Garlic Vichyssoise stars chilled potato-leek bisque with ricotta, and the spicy Shrimp Campechana combines poached shrimp, mango, lime, tomato and jalapeno in a tangy chunky salsa served with avocado and housemade crispy tortilla chips fried in rice oil. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 26 May 2026

Refrigerated pie crusts make the prospect simpler, and this recipe is all about the savory leek-and-crabmeat filling anyway. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 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