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

Add leek, celery, and bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 5 to 6 minutes. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Terroir at Alouette appears in the difference between apples from two orchards or in the bitterness of a leek grown on one particular farm. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Dowding sows both leeks and celeriac under cover in module trays at the same time, around mid-March. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026

Garlic belongs to the Allium plant genus, which also includes onions, leeks and chives. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 26 June 2026

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