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 dulce) with leafstalks eaten raw or cooked

Examples of celery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stovetop: Bring meat, seasonings, onion, celery and broth to a boil, lower to simmer, cover and cook 2-3 hours until meat is done. —Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 16 Mar. 2024

He’s brought that experience to Aquifer Gardens, where native plants such as yarrow and hummingbird sage sprout throughout the citrus orchards, while the vegetable plots are companion-planted for more nutrients, with tomatoes next to the celery and herbs. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024

Onions, carrots, celery, garlic, parsnips and leeks all make good flavor bases. —Ben Jarrell, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the garlic, celery, onion, bell pepper, and reserved corn, and cook until the onion is translucent, 7–8 minutes. —David Guas, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024

Mild-tasting celery adds a hint of flavor and definitive crunch. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024

Carrots, celery and onion are a reliable year-round trio that provide the aromatics for the broth. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024

At a small booth near the main entrance to the market, Mark Welborn sold out of nearly all his sorrel, Meyer lemons, purple mizuna, celery, guava, sapote, chard, Cara Cara oranges and bundles of fresh herbs. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024

Note: To trim the prep time, get a mix of celery, onion and carrot from the supermarket salad bar. —Bonnie S. Benwick, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

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