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

Cook, stirring occasionally, until the alliums just begin to brown, about 10 minutes. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025

Because the soft green of a scallion is likely to wilt or turn color if stored with a bag of white onions in a cool, dark place, take care to handle this allium variety differently. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025

Create interest with alliums There are also some bulbs that can create interest in the garden with their unusual flowers. —Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Oct. 2025

Onion, garlic, and other allium vegetables are toxic in any form and may cause anemia. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 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