allium

noun

al·​li·​um ˈa-lē-əm 

plural alliums

: any of a large genus (Allium) of bulbous herbs of the amaryllis family that includes the onion, garlic, chive, and leek

Examples of allium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Garlic, onions, and other alliums emit a strong, sulfur-like fragrance that repels a wide variety of common carrot pests, including carrot flies. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2024

To keep pests from intruding in your vegetable beds, plant a ring of alliums around the perimeter of the garden or train melons to climb vertically on trellises to free up additional space in nearby soil for pest-deterring alliums. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2024

These alliums, also known as wild leeks or spring onions, carpet the rich, moist, deciduous forests of North America from Quebec to South Carolina. —Michael J. Coren, Washington Post, 23 July 2024

Full Sun Soil Type: Dry to Medium, Well-draining, Average Fertility Soil pH: Mildly Acidic to Neutral (6.0-7.0) Ornamental onions or alliums add a punch of color to the garden and serve as an interesting upright element. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin ālium, allium "garlic," of uncertain origin

Note: Compared with Latin āla "wing," if the cloves of a garlic head are comparable to wings, though neither the derivational relationship nor the analogy are more than speculative.

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

allium

noun

al·​li·​um ˈal-ē-əm 

1

Allium : a genus of bulbous herbs (as an onion, garlic, or leek) of the amaryllis family distinguished by a characteristic odor, sheathing, mostly basal leaves, and clusters of usually white, blue, purple, pink, or red flowers

2

a

: a plant of the genus Allium

b

: the bulb of garlic formerly used in medicine especially as an expectorant and rubefacient