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

This version is heavy on crunch and color thanks to celery, frozen peas, and radishes. —Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2026

For a hot side dish, serve it with carrots, celery, onion, and a little olive oil. —Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2026

This bright take on the deli counter staple has dried cranberries, celery, and sweet pickle relish for a filling and flavorful dish. —Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026

Thursday, April 23, Beef Stew with carrots, potatoes, onions and celery, whole grain roll, tropical fruit, milk. —Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 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