arugula

noun

aru·​gu·​la ə-ˈrü-gə-lə How to pronounce arugula (audio)
-gyə-
: a yellowish-flowered Mediterranean herb (Eruce sativa synonym E. vesicaria sativa) of the mustard family cultivated for its foliage which is used especially in salads

called also garden rocket, rocket, roquette, rugola

Examples of arugula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Go beyond dessert and add them to a salad of arugula with a few walnuts or pecans and feta cheese, drizzled with a honey-mustard dressing. 14. Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2025 Among the antipasti is a platter ($28) of mortadella, soppressata and a savory rustic pie, as well as an unusual salad called rape rosse ($16) of red beets, arugula, melon, pine nuts and goat’s cheese. John Mariani, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 The refreshing taste of apple cider vinegar paired with mustard and peppery arugula will lift any winter blues. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024 Cut the meat and cheeses into chunks or slices to toss with a spring mix, and add anything pickled as a garnish, as in this strawberry salad with feta, arugula, and pickled red onions, or this deviled egg salad with pickled vegetables. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for arugula 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, probably from a southern dialectal form of Tuscan ruca, rucola, as Neapolitan arucola, arucolo, with English spelling -gu- reflecting lenis articulation of consonants and reduction of vowels — more at rocket entry 1

Note: For similar reflection in English spelling of southern Italian articulation compare agita, goombah. Forms with the initial ēr- of the Latin etymon ērūca "arugula, Eruca vesicaria" opened to ar- are widespread in Italian dialects—see Lessico etimologico italiano, letter E, columns 733-34.

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arugula was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near arugula

Cite this Entry

“Arugula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arugula. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

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