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

Anthony tosses gem lettuce, celery, apples, grapes, and candied walnuts into a light lemon dressing–and then adds the finest slivers of grated cheddar cheese for a garnish. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2025

Already a classic is the Waldorf Salad, invented here and on the menu again with subtle seasonal changes that rotate around the core of lettuce, celery, apples, grapes, and cheddar. —Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 18 July 2025

Ants on a log typically consists of peanut butter and raisins spread out on a celery stick. —Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 16 July 2025

And in order to maintain a nutritious balance to each of these meals, consider adding cut up vegetables (like celery or carrots) or fruit (strawberries or blueberries are easy options) to the plate. —Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 15 July 2025

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