plural onions
1
: a widely cultivated Asian herbaceous plant (Allium cepa) of the amaryllis family that has a pungent edible bulb and that is closely related to the garlic, chive, and leek
also
: its bulb
2
: any of various usually ornamental alliums (such as Allium amplectens or A. caeruleum) related to the onion
Examples of onion in a Sentence
The recipe calls for chopped onions.
He is growing onions in the garden this year.
The recipe calls for chopped onion.
Recent Examples on the Web
The salty cheese fuses beautifully with the sweet and spicy onions.
—
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025
Of course, dress warmly and in multiple layers — like an onion, NPR's Life Kit recommends.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
The highlight of the dinner is the serving of the haggis, a traditional Scottish pudding comprised of a sheep's heart, liver, and lungs diced with onions, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt and cooked in a sheep’s stomach.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Sweet onion and celery: Provides a fragrant, tasty aromatic base of the soup.
Carrots: Carrots add a natural sweetness that rounds out the sweet onion and the celery.
—Renu Dhar, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for onion 
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Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025
Of course, dress warmly and in multiple layers — like an onion, NPR's Life Kit recommends.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
The highlight of the dinner is the serving of the haggis, a traditional Scottish pudding comprised of a sheep's heart, liver, and lungs diced with onions, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt and cooked in a sheep’s stomach.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Sweet onion and celery: Provides a fragrant, tasty aromatic base of the soup.
Carrots: Carrots add a natural sweetness that rounds out the sweet onion and the celery.
—Renu Dhar, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for onion
Dictionary Entries Near onion
Cite this Entry
“Onion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onion. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
onion
noun
on·ion
ˈən-yən 
: a widely grown Asian herb related to the lilies and having edible bulbs that have a sharp odor and taste and are used as a vegetable and to season foods
also
: its bulb
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