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

Rather than keeping garlic near sage, grow it near other alliums like onions, or plant it near brassica crops to repel common pests, such as cabbage loopers, aphids, and spider mites. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 May 2026

Try Strong-Smelling Plants Consider planting some pest-deterring plants nearby, like alliums or marigolds. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026

Chives, leeks, onions, garlic, and ornamental alliums are some of the best plants to grow for natural pest control. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2026

Jonathan likes to leave alliums' rounded seedheads for their architectural interest. —Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 17 Apr. 2026

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