leek

noun

ˈlēk 

plural leeks

: a biennial herbaceous plant (Allium porrum synonym A. ampeloprasum var. porrum) of the amaryllis family that is related to the garlic, onion and chive and is commonly grown as an annual for its mildly pungent linear leaves and especially for its cylindrical stemlike lower sheath of leaves

Illustration of leek

Examples of leek in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Such a person might embrace an eternity in which to marvel at the etchings on a Roman coin, or the weight of a leek. —Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025

The ham & cheese egg bake ($32) is made with croissants, leeks and Wisconsin white cheddar, and serves four to six guests. —Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Chicken and leeks are a stalwart pairing, and the bacon in the salad dressing is the knot that ties this feast together. —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025

Also try the herbed cavatelli in lamb ragout − one of my favorite pasta dishes in town − or the duck confit served on a bed of creamy cassoulet beans cooked low and slow in a stock of ham scraps and leeks. —Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English lēac; akin to Old High German louh leek

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leek

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek

Kids Definition

leek

noun

ˈlēk 

: a garden herb closely related to the onion and grown for its mildly sharp-tasting leaves and thick stalk