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

The peas literally cook in the natural moisture of the lettuce and that little bit of butter and both that is added. —Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 5 June 2025

The fan-favorite item consisted of chicken, shredded lettuce and shredded cheese covered in either ranch or honey mustard, wrapped inside a warm tortilla. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 3 June 2025

Rainier and Bing cherries from Doyle’s End Farm in Dixon are making their debut this week in a new salad featuring Little Gem lettuce, Marcona almonds and goat cheese topped with a lemon-mint vinaigrette. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025

Plants like water hyacinth, water lettuce, and water lilies float on the surface. —Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2025

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

Rhymes for lettuce

• metis

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