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

Garnish with bacon strips, Ranch Pickles, and celery sticks. —Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025

Onion, bell pepper, and celery form the flavor base of this soup, which is then completed by Cajun seasoning mix. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025

Corn husks can be dried and steamed, cucumber and melon rinds can be pickled or candied, peppery nasturtium leaves can be eaten in salads, and even young sunflower stalks can be eaten like celery if properly prepared. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025

Begin by incorporating water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon, leafy greens, and celery a few days before your flight. —Micaela English, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 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