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

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

On its menu, BurgerFi burgers feature hormone and antibiotic-free angus beef with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and Fi sauce. — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Many Coloradans spent the last few months changing their diets, avoiding produce in fear of tainted food, as nearly 20,000 people across the country were sick after a historic cyclospora outbreak that came from contaminated lettuce. — Jaimie Dodge, CBS News, 17 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