spinach

noun

spin·​ach ˈspi-nich 

1

: an Asian herb (Spinacia oleracea) of the goosefoot family cultivated for its edible leaves which form in a dense basal rosette

also : its leaves

2

a

: something unwanted, pretentious, or spurious

b

: an untidy overgrowth

spinachlike

ˈspi-nich-ˌlīk 

adjective

spinachy

ˈspi-ni-chē 

adjective

Examples of spinach in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To vary diets, try lettuce on Monday and spinach on Wednesday. —Nafeesah Allen, Parents, 27 Nov. 2023

Indirect sources include yellow, red, and green leafy vegetables like spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, and red peppers, in addition to yellow fruits like mangoes, papaya, and apricots. —Byerin Prater, Fortune Well, 24 Nov. 2023

Leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, are a form of insoluble fiber that cannot be broken down in water and absorbed by the body. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2023

Leafy greens Leafy greens like kale, spinach, lettuce, and bok choy are packed with tons of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and K, iron, and folate. —Christine Byrne, Mph, SELF, 13 Nov. 2023

For cooking the ham, onions, and spinach. Vidalia or other sweet onions: Caramelized for a rich, sweet flavor in the casserole. —Paige Grandjean, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2023

At the very end, for serving, a handful of spinach is briefly plunged into boiling water. —Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023

Add the spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 1–2 minutes more. —Leah Koenig, Saveur, 20 Sep. 2023

Plant now from seed or seedlings: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, peas, leeks, fava beans. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English spinache, from Anglo-French, alteration of Old French espinaces, from Medieval Latin spinachium, ultimately from Arabic isfānākh, from Pers

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spinach

noun

spin·​ach ˈspin-ich 

: a widely grown plant with dark green leaves that are used as food

also : the leaves