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

Get the recipe 04 of 21 Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Mexican street corn is grilled fresh corn that is rolled in in mayo, chile, garlic, and Cotija cheese. —Patricia S York, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025

There’s garlic, silver, stakes to the heart, invitations necessary to darken doorsteps. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025

Add white and light green slices of green onion, mushrooms and garlic. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2025

Native to Eurasia, garlic mustard has other advantages over local flora. —Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

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