Definition

Noun: 1. A young onion harvested before the bulb has swollen: A type of onion (Allium fistulosum) characterized by a long, slender white stem (which is not a true bulb) and hollow, tubular green leaves. The entire plant, from the white base to the green tops, is edible and has a mild flavor. 2. A salad vegetable: Commonly used raw in salads, as a garnish, or as a fresh ingredient in various dishes for its crisp texture and mild, onion-like taste.

Usage Examples

• As a salad ingredient:
  • The recipe calls for two finely chopped spring onions to be mixed into the salad.
  • She garnished the soup with a sprinkle of fresh spring onion.
• Describing the vegetable:
  • At the market, look for spring onions with crisp, green tops and a firm white base.
  • This dish is flavored with garlic, ginger, and spring onion.

Advanced Usage

• Regional Terminology Note: In American English, this vegetable is most commonly called a scallion or a green onion. The term "spring onion" is used more frequently in British English and other Commonwealth countries. In some contexts, "spring onion" may refer to a very young bulb onion harvested in spring.

Variants and Related Words

• Scallion (n.): The most common synonym in American English for a spring onion.
• Green onion (n.): Another common synonym, especially in North America.
• Allium fistulosum (n.): The botanical Latin name for the Welsh onion or bunching onion, which is typically sold as spring onions/scallions.
• Bunching onion (n.): A type of onion that forms clusters rather than a single large bulb, often harvested as spring onions.

Synonyms

• Scallion
• Green onion
• Salad onion

Related Phrases

• Spring onion tops: Refers specifically to the green, hollow leaves of the plant.
• Spring onion whites: Refers specifically to the lower, white stem portion of the plant.

Noun

1. a young onion before the bulb has enlarged; eaten in salads