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

Wednesday, March 4, Tuna Salad on a bed of Romaine lettuce, carrot sticks, cottage cheese, whole grain roll, tropical fruit, milk. —Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

For extra color, try colorful lettuce varieties like 'Red Oakleaf,' or play around with showy greens like Swiss chard or red kale. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 26 Feb. 2026

Lastly, Waterman’s shrimp po boy is made with lettuce, tomato, pickle, Waterman sauce and served on French bread. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026

Spoon the egg salad onto sliced bread and top with crisp lettuce leaves and salt and vinegar chips before placing a second slice of bread on top. —Laura McLively, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 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