herb

1 of 2

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

herby

2 of 2

adjective

ˈ(h)ərbē How to pronounce herby (audio)
-er/-est
1
: abounding in herbaceous vegetation
2
: relating to, resembling, or tasting like an herb
a rich herby flavor

Examples of herb in a Sentence

Noun 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.
Noun
The salmoriglio, a Calabrian condiment with garlic and herbs similar to chimichurri, features dandelion greens, their bitterness a counter to some of the sweetness. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026 Daniels wrote that El-Sabarum sold candles in a variety of shapes and colors, herbs, special oils, and amulets. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Eating a diet rich in herbs may support the gut microbiome, lower inflammation, and improve immune function. — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 26 Oct. 2026 Seek it out and the rewards may include a cup of tea brewed with homegrown herbs, served in porcelain van der Hilst made himself. — Michael James Gardner, Architectural Digest, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for herb

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Adjective

herb + y

First Known Use

Noun

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 28 Oct. 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

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