onion

noun

on·​ion ˈən-yən 

plural onions

1

: a widely cultivated Asian herbaceous plant (Allium cepa) of the amaryllis family that has a pungent edible bulb and that is closely related to the garlic, chive, and leek

also : its bulb

2

: any of various usually ornamental alliums (such as Allium amplectens or A. caeruleum) related to the onion

oniony

ˈən-yə-nē 

adjective

an oniony flavor

oniony meatloaf

Examples of onion in a Sentence

The recipe calls for chopped onions.

He is growing onions in the garden this year.

The recipe calls for chopped onion.

Recent Examples on the Web

The dish consists of sauteed rice, caramelized onions, tomato paste, cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric topped with white flaky fish. —Paul Feinstein, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024

The audience watches a pregnant Elena, dressed in widow’s black, chopping onions, in the kitchen at Las Palomas Ranch. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024

Taylor Farms, the supplier of the fresh onions, recalled onions sent to McDonald’s and other restaurants and institutions. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024

Besides her duties in the kitchen, where onions and meatballs were sizzling on the stovetop on a recent Wednesday, Darby is also on a team focused on mental health advocacy. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French oignon, from Latin union-, unio

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing onion

• Bermuda onion
• green onion
• onion dome
• onion ring
• pearl onion
• sea onion
• Spanish onion
• spring onion

Kids Definition

onion

noun

on·​ion ˈən-yən 

: a widely grown Asian herb related to the lilies and having edible bulbs that have a sharp odor and taste and are used as a vegetable and to season foods

also : its bulb