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

To increase your intake of this essential nutrient, try incorporating magnesium-rich vegetables, like spinach, kale, acorn squash, edamame, artichokes, and parsnips, into your diet. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 6 Nov. 2025

Chop spinach or kale to top pizza slices. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025

The lunch plate included pasta with marinara sauce and spinach as sides, along with the choice between garlic bread or whole wheat bread. —Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025

For the sides, the rapper could have helped himself to pasta with marinara sauce and spinach. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025

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