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

Examples of lettuce in a Sentence

I like a little lettuce and tomato on my sandwiches.

Recent Examples on the Web

Serve your bulgogi with steamed rice, kimchi, and crisp lettuce leaves for wrapping. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026

Plant lettuce, spinach, watercress, and arugula for fresh vegetables to use in fall recipes. — The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026

Order one with jam and butter, or go savory and get a biscuit topped with vegetarian gravy or stuffed with bacon, lettuce and tomato. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026

This sandwich starts with BoJaynes’ creamy, savory curry chicken salad that’s packed with flavor without overpowering the rest of the components, topped on with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and banana peppers. — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026

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

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