garlic

noun

gar·​lic ˈgär-lik 

1

: a European allium (Allium sativum) widely cultivated for its pungent compound bulbs much used in cookery

broadly : allium

2

: a bulb of garlic

garlicky

ˈgär-li-kē 

adjective

Examples of garlic in a Sentence

The recipe calls for two cloves of garlic, minced.

a pasta dish flavored with basil and garlic

Recent Examples on the Web

Chef/partner Sohui Kim’s menu leans into steakhouse classics like New York strip steak and shrimp cocktail, but there are more modern touches here too like clams kimsino made with bacon-kimchi butter, and crispy hen of the woods mushrooms with black garlic aioli and house Sriracha. —Devra Ferst, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026

Use Homemade Spray To make a batch, combine 1 garlic bulb, 1 small onion, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a food processor or blender and process into a paste. —Jon Vanzile, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026

This Golden Mushroom Soup with Orzo and a Pat of Butter recipe comes from Alison Roman's latest cookbook, Something from Nothing, and features flavorful mushrooms, orzo, garlic, butter, and broth. —Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026

Hot, medium, mild, BBQ, Cajun, suicide, garlic parmesan and lemon pepper sauce/rub options. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English garlek, from Old English gārlēac, from gār spear + lēac leek — more at gore

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing garlic

• elephant garlic
• garlic bread
• garlic chive
• garlic press
• garlic salt

Kids Definition

garlic

noun

gar·​lic ˈgär-lik 

: a European herb related to onion and grown for its bulbs that have a strong smell and taste and are used to flavor foods

also : one of the bulbs

garlicky

-li-kē 

adjective

Medical Definition

garlic

noun

gar·​lic ˈgär-lik 

: a European bulbous herb of the genus Allium (A. sativum) widely cultivated for its pungent compound bulbs much used in cookery

also : one of the bulbs