lettuce

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noun let·tuce \ ˈle-təs \

Definition of lettuce

:any of a genus (Lactuca) of composite plants; especially :a common garden vegetable (L. sativa) whose succulent leaves are used especially in salads

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Examples of lettuce in a Sentence

I like a little lettuce and tomato on my sandwiches.

Recent Examples of lettuce from the Web

Hopdoddy serves it with white cheddar, tomato, lettuce, onion and special sauce.

— bud kennedy, star-telegram, "Starting a beef over burgers: Can Hopdoddy’s potato-wheat ‘Impossible’ burger win Cowtown’s heart?," 21 Aug. 2017
Some standout pieces include a set of lettuce plates (with lobster claw detail), a timeless wingback armchair, and a vintage Wayne Texaco gas pump.

— jessica mattern, Country Living, "30,000 Amazing Antiques Are for Sale in This Rare Auction—Starting at Just $5," 11 Aug. 2017
Place the lettuce in the bun and top with the lobster mix.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "Here's the Best Food to Eat at the US Open," 2 Aug. 2017
Put halved meatballs into a pita pocket along with lettuce and tomato.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Rework leftovers for easy school lunches," 2 Aug. 2017
Besides rabbit feed, 3-year-old Muffin and her other rabbits dine on fresh lettuce, celery and carrots and get to run around in a pen under the family's gazebo.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "County fair a throwback to DuPage's agricultural past," 28 July 2017
According to CNBC, Ackman tripled down on the restaurant’s meat offerings by ordering a bowl with lettuce, double chicken, chorizo, vegetables, guacamole, and rice.)

— bess levin, vanityfair.com, "Bill Ackman Isn’t Afraid of a Little Gastrointestinal Distress," 19 July 2017
Hunker down at a table on the patio to devour burnished pig’s tails with butter lettuce and fish sauce, or belly up to the raw bar for a dozen oysters with sambal cocktail sauce.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
For $10 in addition to general admission, visitors can serve giraffes a combination of treats including romaine lettuce and kale — as well as leaves, twigs and branches cut down and delivered by ComEd from trees trimmed along overhead power lines.

— leonor vivanco, chicagotribune.com, "Brookfield Zoo offers chance to feed, pet animals — for a price," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lettuce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lettuce

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

LETTUCE Defined for English Language Learners

lettuce

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noun

Definition of lettuce for English Language Learners

: a plant that has large leaves that are eaten especially in salads

LETTUCE Defined for Kids

lettuce

play

noun let·tuce \ ˈle-təs \

Definition of lettuce for Students

:a garden plant that has large crisp leaves eaten especially in salads

History for lettuce

Many kinds of lettuce have a milky white juice. Lettuce owes its name to this fact. The Latin name for lettuce, lactuca, from which we get English lettuce (through medieval French letuse), came from the Latin word for milk, lac.

Learn More about lettuce

Spanish Central: Translation of lettuce Nglish: Translation of lettuce for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lettuce for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lettuce

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lettuce

Definition of lettuce

Examples of lettuce in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lettuce from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lettuce

Other Food Terms

LETTUCE Defined for English Language Learners

lettuce

Definition of lettuce for English Language Learners

LETTUCE Defined for Kids

lettuce

Definition of lettuce for Students

History for lettuce

Learn More about lettuce

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lettuce

Definition of lettuce

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Examples of lettuce in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lettuce from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lettuce

Other Food Terms

LETTUCE Defined for English Language Learners

lettuce

Definition of lettuce for English Language Learners

LETTUCE Defined for Kids

lettuce

Definition of lettuce for Students

History for lettuce

Learn More about lettuce

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