arugula

noun

aru·​gu·​la ə-ˈrü-gə-lə 

-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

Take, for example, Mint Salsa Verde Potato and Chicken Salad with crisp cucumber and peppery arugula, a picnic mainstay. —The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026

Lil' Frankie's in the East Village became a favorite—though more for its arugula and burrata than the pies themselves. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026

My husband’s aunt and uncle introduced us to this lemon arugula salad, and I’ve been hooked ever since. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026

Cruciferous vegetables The most common cruciferous vegetables — members of the Brassica family — include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale and arugula. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026

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