leach

¹

[ leech ]

verb (used with object)

1. to dissolve out soluble constituents from (ashes, soil, etc.) by percolation.
2. to cause (water or other liquid) to percolate through something.

verb (used without object)

1. (of ashes, soil, etc.) to undergo the action of percolating water.
2. to percolate, as water.

noun

1. the act or process of leaching.
2. a product or solution obtained by leaching; leachate.
3. the material leached.
4. a vessel for use in leaching.

leach

²

[ leech ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. leech ³.

Leach

¹

/ liːtʃ /

noun

1. LeachBernard (Howell)18871979MBritishHong KongARTS AND CRAFTS: potter Bernard ( Howell ). 1887–1979, British potter, born in Hong Kong

leach

²

/ liːtʃ /

verb

1. to remove or be removed from a substance by a percolating liquid
2. to lose or cause to lose soluble substances by the action of a percolating liquid
3. another word for percolate percolate

noun

1. the act or process of leaching
2. a substance that is leached or the constituents removed by leaching
3. a porous vessel for leaching

leach

³

/ liːtʃ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of leech 2

Derived Forms

• ˈleacher, noun

Other Words From

• leacha·ble adjective
• leacha·bili·ty noun
• leacher noun
• un·leached adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of leach¹

1425–75; late Middle English leche leachate, infusion, probably Old English *læc ( e ), *lec ( e ), akin to leccan to wet, moisten, causative of leak

Word History and Origins

Origin of leach¹

C17: variant of obsolete letch to wet, perhaps from Old English leccan to water; related to leak

Example Sentences

However, with the potential for the chemical benzene to leach into water systems from burned materials, the California American Water Co., the Pleasant Valley Mutual Water Co. and the Crestview Mutual Water Co. had issued unsafe water alerts, which meant water was not safe for drinking even if it was boiled.

From Los Angeles Times

“There have been previous studies done in other countries where they’ve seen the same issue of black plastic being contaminated with flame retardants, as well as studies which show flame retardants can leach from kitchen utensils into food and into children’s saliva through the mouthing of toys,” Megan Liu, study co-author and science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future, told CNN.

From Salon

Pace bowler Gus Atkinson has also extended by a year until 2026, while spinner Jack Leach and white-ball seamer Reece Topley have agreed new one-year deals.

From BBC

England also include three frontline spinners in Shoaib Bashir, Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed.

From BBC

Barring an injury to Shoaib Bashir, there has to be a question over whether 33-year-old Jack Leach will ever play for England again.

From BBC