lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈle-təs How to pronounce lettuce (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for lettuce

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lettuce was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lettuce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lettuce. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

lettuce

noun
let·​tuce ˈlet-əs How to pronounce lettuce (audio)
: a common garden vegetable related to the daisies that has crisp juicy leaves used especially in salads

More from Merriam-Webster on lettuce

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