allium

noun

al·​li·​um ˈa-lē-əm 

plural alliums

: any of a large genus (Allium) of bulbous herbs of the amaryllis family that includes the onion, garlic, chive, and leek

Examples of allium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the irises are the stars of the show, they’re all set against a backdrop of other beautiful perennials like lupine, allium, poppies, and delphinium. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

Root veggies, celery, peppers, brassicas, alliums, potatoes, strawberries, and legumes (beans and peas) need at least 12 inches of soil to grow properly. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025

Veterinarian website Bondi Vet says foods that dogs cannot eat include chocolate, which can be fatal even in small quantities; alliums, including onion, garlic and chives; grapes, raisins and sultanas; avocado; macadamia nuts; citrus; caffeine; alcohol; nutmeg; and raw dough. —Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025

In addition to the garlic, throw in other alliums, like onions or leeks, and whatever’s hanging around your crisper drawer, like carrots or ginger. —Emma Laperruque, Bon Appétit, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin ālium, allium "garlic," of uncertain origin

Note: Compared with Latin āla "wing," if the cloves of a garlic head are comparable to wings, though neither the derivational relationship nor the analogy are more than speculative.

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for allium

• gallium
• pallium
• thallium

Medical Definition

allium

noun

al·​li·​um ˈal-ē-əm 

1

Allium : a genus of bulbous herbs (as an onion, garlic, or leek) of the amaryllis family distinguished by a characteristic odor, sheathing, mostly basal leaves, and clusters of usually white, blue, purple, pink, or red flowers

2

a

: a plant of the genus Allium

b

: the bulb of garlic formerly used in medicine especially as an expectorant and rubefacient