celery

noun

cel·​ery ˈse-lə-rē 

ˈsel-rē

plural celeries

: a European herb (Apium graveolens) of the carrot family

specifically : one of a cultivated variety (A. graveolens var. dulce) with leafstalks eaten raw or cooked

Examples of celery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Add peanut butter to whole-grain toast, apple or celery slices, or simply enjoy it straight out of the jar. — Caitlin Beale, Health, 17 July 2026

When making a classic mirepoix with onions, carrots, and celery, Malivert recommends using onions for half of the mixture, then dividing the other half between carrots and celery. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 16 July 2026

The peas cook right alongside the pasta, while celery and red onion add crunch. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 14 July 2026

Serve with celery sticks and more dressing on the side for dipping. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French céleri (17th-century celeris, sceleri, Middle French scellerin), borrowed from an Upper Italian form (as Ligurian sèlarʼu, Lombard sèleri), altered from Vulgar Latin *selinum (Late Latin selīnon), borrowed from Greek sélīnon, perhaps from a pre-Greek substratal language

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing celery

• celery cabbage
• celery root
• wild celery

Kids Definition

celery

noun

cel·​ery ˈsel-(ə-)rē 

plural celeries

: a European herb related to the carrot and widely grown for the thick edible stems

also : the stems of celery used for food