spinach

noun

spin·​ach ˈspi-nich How to pronounce spinach (audio)
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 How to pronounce spinach (audio)
adjective
spinachy
ˈspi-ni-chē How to pronounce spinach (audio)
adjective

Examples of spinach in a Sentence

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.
In a large serving bowl, combine the strawberries, spinach, arugula, goat cheese, and candied pecans. — ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026 Foods High in Phytates and Oxalates Phytates and oxalates are chemical compounds found naturally in foods like spinach, rice bran, almonds, buckwheat, rhubarb, and Swiss chard. — Emmanuella Ogbonna, HEALTH, 26 Aug. 2026 Branch has similarities to Xavier Worthy, and that gives him the chance to be another WR4 with weekly boom upside … assuming Tagovailoa eats some spinach for that arm or Michael Penix returns under center. — Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Leafy Greens Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach and kale don’t retain their original texture once frozen and defrosted due to their high water content. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spinach

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of spinach was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

spinaceous
spinach
spinach aphid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spinach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinach. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spinach

noun
spin·​ach ˈspin-ich How to pronounce spinach (audio)
: a widely grown plant with dark green leaves that are used as food
also : the leaves

More from Merriam-Webster on spinach

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spinach

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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