: 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
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Traditional ingredients include shiitake, Napa cabbage, chrysanthemum greens, leeks, carrots, and tofu.—Yukari Sakamoto, AFAR Media, 12 June 2025 The other benefit is that while summer squash spreads out over the soil, leeks grow upright and don't need much space.—Lauren David, Southern Living, 6 May 2025 Some prebiotic-rich food options include berries, asparagus, apples, garlic, onions, leeks, dandelion greens, chicory root, whole oats, and green bananas.—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 7 Apr. 2025 The Maine Lobster Pot Pie, with baby leeks, black trumpets, lobster dumplings is found at Bourbon Steak.—Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for leek
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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