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.
Dad brings lettuce from home to feed the rabbits that run beneath the pallets of cacti; the other tenants include a glassblower, a clothing designer, a painter, and a sculptor. — Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025 Choose lettuce instead of a burger bun, or go wild and try it Animal Style. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025 McDonald's recently added a new burger to the Value Menu—the Daily Double burger, which comes with two beef patties, American cheese, shredded lettuce, slivered onions, mayo and tomato. — Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025 Along with the shawarma wrap, Cincy Gourmet also offer a chicken shawarma and rice plate ($12) with cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes topped with garlic sauce and spicy jalapeno sauce. — Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 30 July 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

Phrases Containing lettuce

Rhymes for lettuce

See All Rhymes for lettuce

Browse Nearby Words

lettsomite
lettuce
lettuce aphid
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Cite this Entry

“Lettuce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lettuce. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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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

Nglish: Translation of lettuce for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lettuce

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