garlic

noun

gar·​lic ˈgär-lik 

1

: a European allium (Allium sativum) widely cultivated for its pungent compound bulbs much used in cookery

broadly : allium

2

: a bulb of garlic

garlicky

ˈgär-li-kē 

adjective

Examples of garlic in a Sentence

The recipe calls for two cloves of garlic, minced.

a pasta dish flavored with basil and garlic

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, add 1 large yellow onion, small diced, 3 celery stalks, small diced, 1 small fennel bulb, cored and small diced, and 5 garlic cloves, minced, to the pot with the chicken drippings. —Hailee Catalano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026

Transfer the bones to a medium pot and add the mirin, soy sauce, sake, brown sugar, black pepper, scallion greens, garlic, ginger, and 1 cup of water. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026

Poussin, smeared with garlic, sumac and red pepper paste, was unappealingly mealy. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Onion and garlic are used to season the meatballs so that each bite is tasty. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English garlek, from Old English gārlēac, from gār spear + lēac leek — more at gore

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing garlic

• elephant garlic
• garlic bread
• garlic chive
• garlic press
• garlic salt

Kids Definition

garlic

noun

gar·​lic ˈgär-lik 

: a European herb related to onion and grown for its bulbs that have a strong smell and taste and are used to flavor foods

also : one of the bulbs

garlicky

-li-kē 

adjective

Medical Definition

garlic

noun

gar·​lic ˈgär-lik 

: a European bulbous herb of the genus Allium (A. sativum) widely cultivated for its pungent compound bulbs much used in cookery

also : one of the bulbs