lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈle-təs 

: any of a genus (Lactuca) of composite plants

especially : a common garden vegetable (L. sativa) whose succulent leaves are used especially in salads

Example Sentences

I like a little lettuce and tomato on my sandwiches.

Recent Examples on the Web

And for something a bit different: Cardi B says lettuce is expensive. —Wsj Staff, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2023

Seasonal finds include branch lettuce and wild garlic in the spring, or wild mountain mint and chanterelles in the summer. —Mallory Arnold, Outside Online, 11 Jan. 2023

For instance, a head of broccoli could cost $20 while lettuce could be $16, says Lai. —Kate Springer, CNN, 24 Dec. 2022

This Vanity Fair video interview, in which Renner breaks down his filmography, doesn’t offer clues either, just a story about how Renner got food poisoning from eating lettuce in Beirut. —Vulture, 23 Dec. 2022

Last winter for the first time, a partnership of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fed 200,000 pounds of lettuce to manatees at a Florida Power & Light Co. electric plant on the Indian River. —Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Dec. 2022

But not every salad needs (or, honestly, even wants) lettuce. —Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 14 Dec. 2022

But the standout is the shaken beef, made with a generous portion of filet mignon, sauteed with onions and jalapeños, then laid over a bed of lettuce with a serving of rice and a lime dipping sauce. —Emma Balter, Chron, 6 Dec. 2022

Wash, dry, and wrap lettuce in paper towels, and store in a resealable plastic bag in the fridge until ready to toss. —Sunset Magazine, 21 Nov. 2022

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English letuse, from Anglo-French letuse, probably from plural of letue lettuce plant, from Latin lactuca, from lact-, lac milk; from its milky juice — more at galaxy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lettuce

• Bibb lettuce
• devil's lettuce
• cos lettuce
• butter lettuce
• Boston lettuce
• miner's lettuce
• iceberg lettuce
• lamb's lettuce
• sea lettuce

• Bibb lettuce
• devil's lettuce
• cos lettuce
• butter lettuce
• Boston lettuce
• miner's lettuce
• iceberg lettuce
• lamb's lettuce
• sea lettuce

See More

Kids Definition

lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈlet-əs 

: a common garden vegetable related to the daisies that has crisp juicy leaves used especially in salads