herb

noun

ˈərb 

US also and British usually

ˈhərb 

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 

adjective

herby

ˈ(h)ər-bē 

adjective

Examples of herb in a Sentence

a dish seasoned with chopped fresh herbs

rosemary, sage, and other herbs

Recent Examples on the Web

Root vegetables, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, and a variety of herbs come together for a recipe that is a family gathering go-to. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2024

Packed with parsley-like flavor, bright green carrot leaves can be used fresh or dried as an herb. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024

However, neither the translation nor the images encapsulate the magical mixture of herbs, vegetables and chiles that make mariscos so desired by Mexicans and non-Mexicans alike. —David Ulloa Jr, The Arizona Republic, 19 Oct. 2024

Fenugreek Fenugreek is an herb with edible seeds that can be consumed in foods or used to make teas or supplements. —Trang Tran, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing herb

• herb doctor
• herb Robert
• willow herb

Kids Definition

herb

noun

ˈərb 

also

ˈhərb 

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 

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