spinach

noun

spin·​ach ˈspi-nich 

1

: an Asian herb (Spinacia oleracea) of the amaranth family cultivated for its edible leaves which form in a dense basal rosette

also : its leaves

2

a

: something unwanted, pretentious, or spurious

b

: an untidy overgrowth

spinachlike

ˈspi-nich-ˌlīk 

adjective

spinachy

ˈspi-ni-chē 

adjective

Examples of spinach in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are a few shareable plates, including a spinach artichoke dip, beet hummus plate, salad and sides. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025

Additionally, adding leafy greens like spinach or kale introduces minerals like iron and calcium. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 28 May 2025

Try adding a couple of handfuls of baby spinach or frozen peas instead. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2025

Add zinc to your diet with ingredients like almonds, oysters and wheat bran; magnesium with chia seeds, cashews and yogurt; vitamin B with bananas, chickpeas and tuna; and folate with broccoli, lentils and spinach, according to St-Onge’s book. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spinache, from Anglo-French, alteration of Old French espinaces, from Medieval Latin spinachium, ultimately from Arabic isfānākh, from Pers

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spinach

noun

spin·​ach ˈspin-ich 

: a widely grown plant with dark green leaves that are used as food

also : the leaves