Leeks are long thin vegetables which smell similar to onions. They are white at one end, have long light green leaves, and are eaten cooked.
leek in British English
(liːk)
noun
1. Also called: scallion
an alliaceous plant, Allium porrum, with a slender white bulb, cylindrical stem, and broad flat overlapping leaves: used in cooking
2.
any of several related species, such as A. ampeloprasum (wild leek)
3.
a leek, or a representation of one, as a national emblem of Wales
Word origin
Old English lēac; related to Old Norse laukr, Old High German louh
leek in American English
(lik)
noun
any of various perennial, onionlike, wild or garden vegetables (genus Allium, esp. A. porrum) of the lily family, having a small bulb with a cylindrical stem, and broad, flat, folded leaves: used in soups, sauces, etc.
Word origin
ME lek < OE leac, akin to Ger lauch < ? IE base *leug-, to bend > L luxus, excess: so named ? from its outward-bent leaves