allium

noun

al·​li·​um ˈa-lē-əm 

plural alliums

: any of a large genus (Allium) of bulbous herbs of the amaryllis family that includes the onion, garlic, chive, and leek

Examples of allium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One is a mix of garlic, ginger and scallion sauteed in oil until the fragrances bloom and the alliums just start to wilt. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Their relatives include daffodils (Narcissus), naked ladies (Amaryllis belladonna), and the alliums, including edible garlic, leeks, onion, and the ornamental alliums. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2024

There's no garlic, there's no onions, no alliums of any kind. —Bon Appétit, 16 Oct. 2024

But just because the alliums aren’t in attendance does not mean there’s a lack of flavor. —Bon Appétit, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin ālium, allium "garlic," of uncertain origin

Note: Compared with Latin āla "wing," if the cloves of a garlic head are comparable to wings, though neither the derivational relationship nor the analogy are more than speculative.

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

allium

noun

al·​li·​um ˈal-ē-əm 

1

Allium : a genus of bulbous herbs (as an onion, garlic, or leek) of the amaryllis family distinguished by a characteristic odor, sheathing, mostly basal leaves, and clusters of usually white, blue, purple, pink, or red flowers

2

a

: a plant of the genus Allium

b

: the bulb of garlic formerly used in medicine especially as an expectorant and rubefacient