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
Mark Gurarie, Health, 31 Jan. 2026
Cooking frozen vegetables directly helps prevent excess moisture from leaching out and keeps flavors concentrated.
—Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
While some demand gentler handling, others shed lint or have the potential of leaching dye.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
This process is primarily driven by phosphorus leaching, as seen in the Florida Everglades.
—Dinesh Phuyal, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leach
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Verb
Supports Bone Health Potassium also reduces acidity that can leach calcium from bones.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 31 Jan. 2026
Cooking frozen vegetables directly helps prevent excess moisture from leaching out and keeps flavors concentrated.
—Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
While some demand gentler handling, others shed lint or have the potential of leaching dye.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
This process is primarily driven by phosphorus leaching, as seen in the Florida Everglades.
—Dinesh Phuyal, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leach
Cite this Entry
“Leach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leach. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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
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