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

The dish is made of a 16-ounce Angus beef patty, lettuce, tomato, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, and sandwiched between two pepperoni pizzas. —Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025

The hope now is that the pies, carrots, cucumbers and head of lettuce placed on top of the crate persuade the Holliday Hog to turn himself in. —Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025

The vegan sub includes vegan lunch meats and cheese and all the fixins, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, as the nonvegan version. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025

Bakovic recommends turkey lettuce wraps, turkey sandwiches, turkey salads, and turkey omelettes with vegetables. —Laura Schober, Health, 2 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for lettuce

• metis

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