less common spelling of leech
1
: either vertical edge of a square sail
2
: the after edge of a fore-and-aft sail
leached; leaching; leaches
1
: to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid
leach out alkali from ashes
2
: to subject to the action of percolating (see percolate sense 1a) liquid (such as water) in order to separate the soluble components
3
a
: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil by percolation (see percolate sense 1a)
soil leached of its salts by torrential rains
b
: to draw out or remove as if by percolation
all meaning has been leached from my life
: to pass out or through by percolation
Nutrients leached out of the soil with rainwater.
Examples of leach in a Sentence
Verb
Even a small amount of rain can leach the toxic material from the soil.
Certain kinds of treated wood can leach chemicals into the soil.
The chemical eventually leaches away from the soil.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kristin Hostetter, Outside Online, 22 Jan. 2025
The paper cellulose bags followed, with 135 million particles per milliliter, and the mesh nylon bags leached 8.18 million.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 19 Jan. 2025
Erosion control is another critical aspect of protecting water, as erosion leads to the loss of topsoil and contributes to leaching.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2025
And if what's sunken to make the artificial reef isn't properly broken down, toxic chemicals can leach out, some conservation groups say.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leach 
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Verb
Although the specific research around this practice is confusing and sometimes conflicting, most experts believe this can cause additional contamination and leaching.
—Kristin Hostetter, Outside Online, 22 Jan. 2025
The paper cellulose bags followed, with 135 million particles per milliliter, and the mesh nylon bags leached 8.18 million.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 19 Jan. 2025
Erosion control is another critical aspect of protecting water, as erosion leads to the loss of topsoil and contributes to leaching.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2025
And if what's sunken to make the artificial reef isn't properly broken down, toxic chemicals can leach out, some conservation groups say.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leach
Dictionary Entries Near leach
Cite this Entry
“Leach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leach. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
leach
transitive verb1
: to subject to the action of percolating liquid (as water) in order to separate the soluble components
2
: to dissolve out by the action of a percolating liquid
: to pass out or through by percolation
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