lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈle-təs 

: 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

It is typically filled with beef, nacho cheese sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and a tostada shell. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025

Assemble Salad In a large bowl toss together iceberg and romaine lettuce, cabbage, and carrot. —Jessica Saari Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2025

The restaurant chain’s popular club sandwich features your choice of turkey or chicken with Swiss cheese, bacon, avocado, leaf lettuce, red onion and tomato on a sourdough roll. —Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 25 Feb. 2025

Small Plates Passed small plates will include dishes like pea agnolotti pasta, miso cod lettuce cups and popcorn shrimp. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing lettuce

• Bibb lettuce
• Boston lettuce
• butter lettuce
• cos lettuce
• devil's lettuce
• iceberg lettuce
• lamb's lettuce
• miner's lettuce
• sea lettuce

Rhymes for lettuce

• metis

Kids Definition

lettuce

noun

let·​tuce ˈlet-əs 

: a common garden vegetable related to the daisies that has crisp juicy leaves used especially in salads