less common spelling of leech
1
: either vertical edge of a square sail
2
: the after edge of a fore-and-aft sail
leached; leaching; leaches
1
: to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid
leach out alkali from ashes
2
: to subject to the action of percolating (see percolate sense 1a) liquid (such as water) in order to separate the soluble components
3
a
: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation (see percolate sense 1a)
soil leached of its salts by torrential rains
b
: to draw out or remove as if by percolation
all meaning has been leached from my life
: to pass out or through by percolation
Nutrients leached out of the soil with rainwater.
Examples of leach in a Sentence
Verb
Even a small amount of rain can leach the toxic material from the soil.
Certain kinds of treated wood can leach chemicals into the soil.
The chemical eventually leaches away from the soil.
Recent Examples on the Web
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025
Some glues may leach toxic compounds over time.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
The pan may contain significant levels of lead, which can leach into food.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 24 Nov. 2025
The shelter-in-place order was gradually diminished in the hours following the accident, but contaminants have since leached into the surrounding area.
—Staff, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leach
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
And heavy metals leached during the extraction process can also build up in the environment, posing a threat to bird life, fish and humans.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025
Some glues may leach toxic compounds over time.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
The pan may contain significant levels of lead, which can leach into food.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 24 Nov. 2025
The shelter-in-place order was gradually diminished in the hours following the accident, but contaminants have since leached into the surrounding area.
—Staff, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leach
Cite this Entry
“Leach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leach. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
leach
transitive verb1
: to subject to the action of percolating liquid (as water) in order to separate the soluble components
2
: to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid
: to pass out or through by percolation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share