herb

noun

ˈərb How to pronounce herb (audio)
US also and British usually
ˈhərb How to pronounce herb (audio)
Synonyms of herb
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
slang : marijuana sense 2
herblike
ˈ(h)ərb-ˌlīk How to pronounce herb (audio)
adjective
herby
ˈ(h)ər-bē How to pronounce herb (audio)
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.
And, in recent years, a new culinary wave has emerged, as chefs create bold fusion dishes or, more subtly, adapt Japanese recipes to uniquely Brazilian produce, from Amazon river fish to jambu, a tongue-tingling herb. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026 Paired with morsels of fresh red snapper and Habanada chile pepper passata, the pasta rests in a velvety sauce with a glossy drizzle of herb oil and a flurry of fresh herbs. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 6 Sep. 2026 The versatile ground beef recipe can be customized with your favorite ingredients—add more veggies, choose a mix of cheeses, or incorporate fresh herbs. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026 The company also publishes a garden guide, a kids’ edition, and special handbooks on container gardens, vegetables, and herbs. — HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026 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

Phrases Containing herb

Rhymes for herb

See All Rhymes for herb

Browse Nearby Words

Herat
herb
Herbaceae
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Herb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herb. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

herb

noun
ˈərb How to pronounce herb (audio)
also
ˈhərb How to pronounce herb (audio)
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
ˈ(h)ərb How to pronounce herb (audio)
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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for herb

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herb

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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