leek

noun

ˈlēk 

plural leeks

: a biennial herbaceous plant (Allium porrum synonym A. ampeloprasum var. porrum) of the amaryllis family that is related to the garlic, onion and chive and is commonly grown as an annual for its mildly pungent linear leaves and especially for its cylindrical stemlike lower sheath of leaves

Illustration of leek

Examples of leek in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is the place to load up on fiber, with a weekend menu that includes an omelette filled with butternut squash and leeks, then topped with a kale and sesame salad, or a thick sourdough toast piled high with cannellini beans, roasted radicchio and hazelnuts, with dill sprinkled on top. —Valeriya Safronova, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Wild garlic is a member of the Liliaceae family, just like regular garlic, leek, onion, shallots, and chives. —Christina Pérez, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2025

Add leek and asparagus, seasoning with salt and pepper. —Randy Graham, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025

In addition to the garlic, throw in other alliums, like onions or leeks, and whatever’s hanging around your crisper drawer, like carrots or ginger. —Emma Laperruque, Bon Appétit, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English lēac; akin to Old High German louh leek

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leek

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek

Kids Definition

leek

noun

ˈlēk 

: a garden herb closely related to the onion and grown for its mildly sharp-tasting leaves and thick stalk