lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈle-təs 

: any of a genus (Lactuca) of composite plants

especially : a common garden vegetable (L. sativa) whose succulent leaves are used especially in salads

Examples of lettuce in a Sentence

I like a little lettuce and tomato on my sandwiches.

Recent Examples on the Web

While some consumers are experimenting with more decadent burger toppings such as truffle aioli, foie gras, goat cheese or caviar, the classics — cheese, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and onion — are still the most popular, as of a 2021 YouGov survey. —Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026

Charles Haracz, the executive chef at Blue Plate, said the company buys between 30 and 60 pounds of produce every week, including microgreens, lettuces and pea shoots. —Jerry Wu, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026

Arrange the onion, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles on separate plates, and season the tomatoes with sea salt and black pepper. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 9 June 2026

This salad is welcome in a summer recipe repertoire; the corn, red onion and meat are all cooked on the grill, and then layered over the lettuce, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English letuse, from Anglo-French letuse, probably from plural of letue lettuce plant, from Latin lactuca, from lact-, lac milk; from its milky juice — more at galaxy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lettuce

• Bibb lettuce
• Boston lettuce
• butter lettuce
• cos lettuce
• devil's lettuce
• iceberg lettuce
• lamb's lettuce
• miner's lettuce
• sea lettuce

Kids Definition

lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈlet-əs 

: a common garden vegetable related to the daisies that has crisp juicy leaves used especially in salads