rosemary
noun
rose·mary
ˈrōz-ˌmer-ē 
plural rosemaries
: a fragrant shrubby Mediterranean mint (Salvia rosmarinus synonym Rosmarinus officinalis) having grayish-green needlelike leaves used as a seasoning
also
: the leaves of rosemary
Examples of rosemary in a Sentence
The recipe calls for a tablespoon of rosemary.
Recent Examples on the Web
See our guide to storing herbs to learn the best way to freeze everything from parsley and sage to rosemary and dill.
—
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026
Tucking herbs like basil, rosemary and mint into the same pots as ornamentals adds fragrance and texture, and small vegetables — cherry tomatoes, peppers, leaf lettuces — slot neatly into a layered design.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Combine herbs such as basil, rosemary and mint with small vegetables and your usual flowering and foliage plants.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Combine herbs like basil, rosemary and mint with small vegetables and decorative plants in the same containers.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rosemary
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.
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026
Tucking herbs like basil, rosemary and mint into the same pots as ornamentals adds fragrance and texture, and small vegetables — cherry tomatoes, peppers, leaf lettuces — slot neatly into a layered design.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Combine herbs such as basil, rosemary and mint with small vegetables and your usual flowering and foliage plants.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Combine herbs like basil, rosemary and mint with small vegetables and decorative plants in the same containers.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rosemary
Cite this Entry
“Rosemary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rosemary. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rosemary
noun
rose·mary
ˈrōz-ˌmer-ē
: a fragrant shrubby mint with grayish green needlelike leaves used as a seasoning
also
: the leaves of rosemary
Etymology
an altered form of Middle English rosmarine "rosemary," from Latin rosmarinus, literally, "dew of the sea," from ros "dew" and marinus "of the sea"
Medical Definition
rosemary
noun
rose·mary
ˈrōz-ˌmer-ē
plural rosemaries
: a fragrant shrubby mint (Salvia rosmarinus synonym Rosmarinus officinalis) of southern Europe and Asia Minor that is the source of rosemary oil and was formerly used medicinally as a stimulant and carminative
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
