¹leach

Definition of LEACH

variant of leech

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

anemone, cephalopod, quahog

²leach

verb \ˈlēch\

: to remove (a chemical, a metal, etc.) from a substance by the action of a liquid passing through the substance : to release (a chemical, a metal, etc.) when a liquid passes through

of a chemical, a metal, etc. : to be removed from a substance by a liquid passing through the substance

Full Definition of LEACH

transitive verb

: to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid <leach out alkali from ashes>

: to subject to the action of percolating liquid (as water) in order to separate the soluble components

a : to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation

b : to draw out or remove as if by percolation <all meaning has been leached from my life>

intransitive verb

: to pass out or through by percolation

— leach·abil·i·ty \ˌlē-chə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— leach·able \ˈlē-chə-bəl\ adjective

— leach·er noun

See leach defined for English-language learners

See leach defined for kids

Origin of LEACH

leach vessel through which water is passed to extract lye

First Known Use: 1796

Rhymes with LEACH

beach, beech, bleach, breach, breech, each, leech, peach, pleach, preach, reach, screech, speech, teach

LEACH Defined for Kids

leach

verb

leachedleach·ing

Definition of LEACH for Kids

: to remove or remove from by the action of a liquid passing through a substance <Water leaches minerals from soil.> <The soil was leached by the constant rain.>

Medical Dictionary