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

The recipe, like many spinach dip recipes, calls for fresh spinach to be blanched and shocked. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025

Then turn off heat and mix in spinach and grated Parmesan. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025

One slice was vegetarian, thickly layered with masala sauce, paneer, spinach, and eggplant, plus garlic, ginger, green onions, and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro. —Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025

In similar fashion, baby spinach are young leaves of ordinary spinach and baby or new potatoes are young tubers of ordinary potatoes. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 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