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

The person in charge placed a work order for service and a three-compartment sink was set up for manual ware-washing. Containers of cooked cheese, spinach and artichoke dip with internal temperature between 54F-57F were stored in a mini-cooler in the back prep room. —Kunle Falayi, The Arizona Republic, 8 May 2024

Treat Mom to the ultimate breakfast in bed with the ready-to-heat Mother's Day Brunch, which comes with a choice of spinach tomato quiche, quiche Lorraine or broccoli cheddar quiche, tropical fruit, and blueberry muffins ($19.99, serves four). —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 6 May 2024

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