Illustration of leek
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
Examples of leek in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Head to your local farmer’s market to load up on autumnal vegetables–think pumpkin, squash, kale, leeks, parsnips and so on–and throw them into hearty, warming stews and soups.
—
Hannah Coates, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023
Pour the rice cooking liquid or stock into a large roasting pan and add the leeks.
—Sean Sherman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2023
The pie stuffed with a stew-like filling of spinach, leeks, and hunks of cheese is a must.
—Caroline Shin, Bon Appétit, 13 Oct. 2023
Plant now from seed or seedlings: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, peas, leeks, fava beans.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023
Now move onto a denser layer of cooked vegetables, such as cauliflower, potato, leek or squash, lightly seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 30 Aug. 2023
This includes chocolate and chocolate-based products, onions, leeks, garlic, chives, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, currants, products sweetened with xylitol, alcoholic beverages, and unbaked bread dough.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2023
First, a little garlic 101: Garlic is an allium in the same family as onions, leeks, and chives.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 6 Oct. 2023
Korean temple food—vegan, without onions, scallions, chives, leeks, or garlic—is the perfect example.
—David Graver, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2023
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Hannah Coates, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023
Pour the rice cooking liquid or stock into a large roasting pan and add the leeks.
—Sean Sherman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2023
The pie stuffed with a stew-like filling of spinach, leeks, and hunks of cheese is a must.
—Caroline Shin, Bon Appétit, 13 Oct. 2023
Plant now from seed or seedlings: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, peas, leeks, fava beans.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023
Now move onto a denser layer of cooked vegetables, such as cauliflower, potato, leek or squash, lightly seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 30 Aug. 2023
This includes chocolate and chocolate-based products, onions, leeks, garlic, chives, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, currants, products sweetened with xylitol, alcoholic beverages, and unbaked bread dough.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2023
First, a little garlic 101: Garlic is an allium in the same family as onions, leeks, and chives.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 6 Oct. 2023
Korean temple food—vegan, without onions, scallions, chives, leeks, or garlic—is the perfect example.
—David Graver, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leek.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of leek was
before the 12th century
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Dictionary Entries Near leek
Cite this Entry
“Leek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leek. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
leek
noun
: a garden herb closely related to the onion and grown for its mildly sharp-tasting leaves and thick stalk
More from Merriam-Webster on leek
Nglish: Translation of leek for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of leek for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about leek
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