herb

noun

ˈərb How to pronounce herb (audio)
US also and British usually
ˈhərb How to pronounce herb (audio)
often attributive
1
botany : a seed-producing annual, biennial, or perennial that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season
2
: a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities
planted parsley, basil, and rosemary in her herb garden
3
herblike adjective
herby adjective

Examples of herb in a Sentence

a dish seasoned with chopped fresh herbs rosemary, sage, and other herbs
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its cuisine is fragrant, bold, and poetic, a feast of simmered stews and grilled meats, gently spiced, overlaid with bright and sour harmonics from fresh herbs and tart, fruity vinegars. Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025 Fresh if in season, or frozen lady peas, plus a few herbs and simple mustardy vinaigrette make this salad a cinch. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025 Friday’s lineup includes hands-on Intensive Workshops relating to herbs and botanicals; admission is $35 per workshop and attendees can choose up to two. Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2025 Acre’s 25-acre farm grows everything from guava and figs to heirloom tomatoes, chiles, and herbs—ingredients that shape the menu across the main restaurant, the bar, and even Fausto’s, the resort’s casual ramen-meets-breakfast spot near the entrance. Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for herb

Word History

Etymology

Middle English herbe, from Anglo-French, from Latin herba

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of herb was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Herb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herb. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

herb

noun
1
: a seed-producing plant that does not develop long-lived woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season
2
: a plant or plant part used for making medicine and seasonings

Medical Definition

herb

noun
often attributive
1
: a seed plant that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season
2
: a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities

More from Merriam-Webster on herb

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