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
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Still others, such as phthalates – synthetic chemicals used to manufacture plastics – may leach into menstrual products from plastic packaging or be added as part of a fragrance.
—Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026
The chemical, called dipotassium orthophosphate, reacts with lead pipes to seal in the lead and prevent it from leaching into the water, according to Aurora Superintendent of Water Production Bob Leible.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Mass commercialization has leached away the cool factor.
—Ezra Marcus, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leach
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Verb
Nitrogen is the primary nutrient that grass needs for growth, but it can easily be leached out of the soil during heavy rainfall, says Eric Nieusma, co-owner of Maine Hill Farm.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Still others, such as phthalates – synthetic chemicals used to manufacture plastics – may leach into menstrual products from plastic packaging or be added as part of a fragrance.
—Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026
The chemical, called dipotassium orthophosphate, reacts with lead pipes to seal in the lead and prevent it from leaching into the water, according to Aurora Superintendent of Water Production Bob Leible.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Mass commercialization has leached away the cool factor.
—Ezra Marcus, Vulture, 11 Feb. 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 24 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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