lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈle-təs 

: any of a genus (Lactuca) of composite plants

especially : a common garden vegetable (L. sativa) whose succulent leaves are used especially in salads

Examples of lettuce in a Sentence

I like a little lettuce and tomato on my sandwiches.

Recent Examples on the Web

Serve the salad on its own, as a sandwich, or on lettuce leaves. —Kate Williams, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Pico de gallo, black beans and lettuce were observed on the food prep line slightly above 41 degrees during the lunch rush. —Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026

The Spicy Chicken Sandwich features a juicy marinated chicken breast breaded in a fiery blend of spices and topped with lettuce and tomatoes to cool things down. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026

That’s the timeline for planting cool-season crops like onions, spinach, lettuces, brassicas, and peas right into the soil. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English letuse, from Anglo-French letuse, probably from plural of letue lettuce plant, from Latin lactuca, from lact-, lac milk; from its milky juice — more at galaxy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lettuce

• Bibb lettuce
• Boston lettuce
• butter lettuce
• cos lettuce
• devil's lettuce
• iceberg lettuce
• lamb's lettuce
• miner's lettuce
• sea lettuce

Kids Definition

lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈlet-əs 

: a common garden vegetable related to the daisies that has crisp juicy leaves used especially in salads