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

Tostada: One of six menu items released in 1962 at Taco Bell’s first walk-up location in Southern California, this tostada shell is layered with refried beans, red sauce, lettuce, and shredded cheese. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024

Along with the chicken patties, McDonald's Chicken Big Mac has the same ingredients — special sauce, lettuce, cheese and pickles on a sesame seed bun — as the chain's classic Big Mac. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 13 Oct. 2024

Summit’s cook announced that the latest shipment of food was short on lettuce. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

Romaine lettuce takes 75 days from seed to harvest and crisphead types such as Iceberg will be ready to pick in 50-90 days, depending on the variety. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2024

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