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

Incorporate spinach into your meal by cooking it into your morning eggs, tossing it into a stir-fry, or using it on top of your pizza. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2025

Oatmeal, mushrooms, pasta noodles, beans, spinach, bananas and whole-wheat bread also contain the mineral. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025

Arugula, spinach, iron filled with vitamins, but during the day. —Ashley Hume, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025

Water-rich foods such as watermelon, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, lettuces, spinach, bell peppers and zucchini can also hydrate you as well as provide key vitamins and nutrients such as potassium, which helps muscles to contract and supports normal blood pressure. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 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