spinach

noun

spin·​ach ˈspi-nich 

1

: an Asian herb (Spinacia oleracea) of the amaranth family cultivated for its edible leaves which form in a dense basal rosette

also : its leaves

2

a

: something unwanted, pretentious, or spurious

b

: an untidy overgrowth

spinachlike

ˈspi-nich-ˌlīk 

adjective

spinachy

ˈspi-ni-chē 

adjective

Examples of spinach in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thanks to our long growing season, cool-season vegetables like lettuce and spinach are sold throughout the fall. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025

Foods like hemp seeds, spinach, amaranth, cacao powder, and rice bran not only surpass pumpkin seeds in their magnesium content, but also deliver additional nutrients and health benefits. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 1 Oct. 2025

Martha Stewart Nutritionists and neuroscientists agree that eating green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and lettuce is key to boosting brain health. —Renée Onque, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025

Key Takeaways Kale generally provides more calcium and vitamin C per serving than spinach. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spinache, from Anglo-French, alteration of Old French espinaces, from Medieval Latin spinachium, ultimately from Arabic isfānākh, from Pers

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spinach

noun

spin·​ach ˈspin-ich 

: a widely grown plant with dark green leaves that are used as food

also : the leaves