plural onions
1
: a widely cultivated Asian herbaceous plant (Allium cepa) of the amaryllis family that has a pungent edible bulb and that is closely related to the garlic, chive, and leek
also
: its bulb
2
: any of various usually ornamental alliums (such as Allium amplectens or A. caeruleum) related to the onion
Examples of onion in a Sentence
The recipe calls for chopped onions.
He is growing onions in the garden this year.
The recipe calls for chopped onion.
Recent Examples on the Web
Its mild flavor plays nicely with corn, onions, and poblanos.
—
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Add mushrooms, onion and ginger, and cook, stirring, until golden and tender, 7 to 10 minutes.
2.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
So many dishes around the world begin by cooking some combination of aromatics (garlic, ginger, chiles, lemongrass) and vegetables (onions, celery, carrots) in hot fat, whether as a sofrito, a mirepoix, a recaito or a ginisa.
—Julia Moskin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
People can also order fries Animal Style, where the fries are topped with spread, grilled onions and cheese.
—Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
Lilit closed her eyes while cutting the onions, and Reggie gently dabbed her tears.
—Nasha Smith, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Add the onion, carrots, celery, thyme, wild rice blend and stock.
—Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
The Big Easy Burger: bacon, pepper jack cheese, Cajun remoulade, jalapeno, and purple onion.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
The mystery ingredients were doozies: cipollini onions, bamboo shoots, mustard, marshmallows, chicken livers, black garlic, ginseng and more.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Add mushrooms, onion and ginger, and cook, stirring, until golden and tender, 7 to 10 minutes.
2.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
So many dishes around the world begin by cooking some combination of aromatics (garlic, ginger, chiles, lemongrass) and vegetables (onions, celery, carrots) in hot fat, whether as a sofrito, a mirepoix, a recaito or a ginisa.
—Julia Moskin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
People can also order fries Animal Style, where the fries are topped with spread, grilled onions and cheese.
—Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
Lilit closed her eyes while cutting the onions, and Reggie gently dabbed her tears.
—Nasha Smith, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Add the onion, carrots, celery, thyme, wild rice blend and stock.
—Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
The Big Easy Burger: bacon, pepper jack cheese, Cajun remoulade, jalapeno, and purple onion.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
The mystery ingredients were doozies: cipollini onions, bamboo shoots, mustard, marshmallows, chicken livers, black garlic, ginseng and more.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'onion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near onion
Cite this Entry
“Onion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onion. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
onion
noun
on·ion
ˈən-yən 
: a widely grown Asian herb related to the lilies and having edible bulbs that have a sharp odor and taste and are used as a vegetable and to season foods
also
: its bulb
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