salad

noun

sal·​ad ˈsa-ləd How to pronounce salad (audio)
1
: any of various usually cold dishes: such as
a
: raw greens (such as lettuce) often combined with other vegetables and toppings and served especially with dressing
b
: small pieces of food (such as pasta, meat, fruit, or vegetables) usually mixed with a dressing (such as mayonnaise) or set in gelatin
2
: a green vegetable or herb grown for salad
especially : lettuce
3
: a usually incongruous mixture : hodgepodge

Examples of salad in a Sentence

For dinner we had roast chicken and a salad. a salad of fresh greens I tossed the salad with some oil and vinegar and set it on the table. Would you like soup or salad with your sandwich?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 500-square-foot space will offer a selection of grab-and-go items, including sandwiches, soups and salads. La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025 There’s a little gem salad with peanuts and coconut and a shrimp cocktail served with melon and cucumber. Beth D'addono, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025 The dining section includes Le Petit RH, an upscale restaurant envisaged as a jewel box, featuring a menu of caviar specialties, small plates, signature salads and seafood towers. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025 The sparkling citrus soda is a versatile beverage that pairs beautifully with a range of dishes, from light salads to rich entrees. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for salad

Word History

Etymology

Middle English salat, salade, borrowed from Middle French salade "dish of seasoned greens and herbs," borrowed from a medieval Upper Italian predecessor of modern dialectal (Piedmont) salada, salatta (Tuscan insalata) from salar "to add salt to, salt" (going back to Vulgar Latin *salāre, re-formation of Latin salīre, sallīre "to salt, preserve with salt," derivative of sal-, sāl "salt") + -ata, -ada -ade — more at salt entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of salad was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Salad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salad. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

salad

noun
sal·​ad ˈsal-əd How to pronounce salad (audio)
1
: green vegetables (as lettuce) often with tomato, cucumber, or radish served with dressing
2
: a cold dish (as of meat, shellfish, fruit, or vegetables) usually prepared with a dressing

More from Merriam-Webster on salad

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