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

Bunnies and deer usually ignore alliums, but pollinators love them. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 7 Sep. 2023

While this makes alliums great companions for most vegetables and herbs, asparagus and alliums just don’t mix. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2023

See for yourself in one of these recipes that showcase the versatility of shallots: Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette: A classic use for shallots is finely diced in a vinaigrette, where the vinegar lightly pickles the raw allium. —Patricia S York, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2023

The allium provides that necessary savory flavor, and the chile helps with adding that layer of heat, says Martinez. —Ashia Aubourg, SELF, 19 July 2023

All about alliums: Chippewa Garden Club will present an informative presentation on alliums at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22 in the Brecksville Human Services Building, 2 Community Drive. —Shirley MacFarland, cleveland, 3 Aug. 2023

Try experimenting with alliums and marigolds, which can be tucked in tightly between other vegetables to keep bad bugs at bay. 5. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 18 July 2023

An allium like garlic, onion, shallots, leeks, or chives Some type of chile, such as serrano, jalapeño, chile pequin, or guajillo These are important bases for all types of salsa, Martinez says. —Ashia Aubourg, SELF, 19 July 2023

Herbs and alliums bless the eggy mixture with sweet-savory energy. —Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 27 June 2023

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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

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