a seed-bearing plant whose aerial parts do not persist above ground at the end of the growing season; herbaceous plant
any of various usually aromatic plants, such as parsley, rue, and rosemary, that are used in cookery and medicine
( as modifier )
a herb garden
a slang term for marijuana
1250–1300; Middle English herbe < Old French erbe, herbe < Latin herba
What do food, medicine, and perfume have in common? Well, they all can be created from herbs. An herb is a plant that has a soft rather than a woody stem, and it tends to have a unique taste or smell. There are many kinds of plants, but one that you've likely seen mentioned on a menu or ad for a medical treatment is the herb. Herbs are distinguished from other plants by their stem, which does not become permanent and woody; instead, it stays soft. Many herbs are used in cooking, such as basil and thyme, because they add flavor to foods. Many herbs, like ginseng and chamomile, are used in tea and are believed to be good for your health.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Blended with cream cheese and cucumber, it becomes a sandwich spread with the flavor profile of a carefully composed herb dressing and the effort level of opening a packet.
From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026
This natural chemical comes from Centella asiatica, a commonly used Asian medicinal herb.
From Science Daily • Apr. 21, 2026
They order $18 mezcal cocktails infused with shiitake mushrooms, red onion and jalapeño herb oil.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Small plates with buckwheat brioche and whipped herb butter.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026
Rooms were set aside for bookbinding and herb mixing and broadsword training and hand-to-hand combat practice.
From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
