celery

noun

cel·​ery ˈse-lə-rē 

ˈsel-rē

plural celeries

: a European herb (Apium graveolens) of the carrot family

specifically : one of a cultivated variety (A. graveolens var. dulce) with leafstalks eaten raw or cooked

Examples of celery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While early studies are promising, more research is needed before celery seed can be recommended as a treatment for most health conditions. —Regina C. Windsor, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2025

Created in the 1890s by hotel maître d’ Oscar Tschirky, the salad is known for its combination of apples, celery, walnuts and mayonnaise that became an instant classic served around the world. —Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025

Classic notes of torn chicken, carrots, celery, and warm chicken stock shine in this soup, kicked up a notch by a dash of paprika, heavy cream, and sherry vinegar. —Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2025

Once mushrooms are seared, add celery, garlic and ginger. —Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French céleri (17th-century celeris, sceleri, Middle French scellerin), borrowed from an Upper Italian form (as Ligurian sèlarʼu, Lombard sèleri), altered from Vulgar Latin *selinum (Late Latin selīnon), borrowed from Greek sélīnon, perhaps from a pre-Greek substratal language

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing celery

• celery cabbage
• celery root
• wild celery

Kids Definition

celery

noun

cel·​ery ˈsel-(ə-)rē 

plural celeries

: a European herb related to the carrot and widely grown for the thick edible stems

also : the stems of celery used for food