spinach

noun

spin·​ach ˈspi-nich 

1

: an Asian herb (Spinacia oleracea) of the amaranth 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

Divide spinach mixture between potato halves, piling high (don’t pack too tightly). — Kelsey Jane Youngman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

Try pairing a smaller serving with roasted zucchini and peppers, stirring spinach into soup, or adding broccoli to pasta. — Lindsey Desoto, HEALTH, 4 Nov. 2026

Gollan appears with our pho sandwiches, wrapped in spinach tortillas. — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026

Root vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, and broccoli. — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 2 Nov. 2026

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