herb

¹

[urb, hurb]

noun

1. a flowering plant whose stem above ground does not become woody.

2. such a plant when valued for its medicinal properties, flavor, scent, or the like.

3. Slang.,  Often the herb. marijuana.

4. Archaic.,  herbage.

Herb

²

[hurb]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Herbert.

herb

/ ɜːrb, hɜːb /

noun

1. a seed-bearing plant whose aerial parts do not persist above ground at the end of the growing season; herbaceous plant

2. 1. any of various usually aromatic plants, such as parsley, rue, and rosemary, that are used in cookery and medicine

   2. ( as modifier )

      a herb garden

3. a slang term for marijuana

herb

1. A flowering plant whose stem does not produce woody tissue and generally dies back at the end of each growing season. Both grasses and forbs are herbs.

Other Word Forms

• herbless adjective
• herblike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of herb¹

1250–1300; Middle English herbe < Old French erbe, herbe < Latin herba

Word History and Origins

Origin of herb¹

C13: from Old French herbe, from Latin herba grass, green plants

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. give it the herbs, to use full power, especially in accelerating a car.

Example Sentences

The main course, a whole fried sea bream, served with a ginger fish sauce caramel, peanuts, herbs, lemon, and wild pepper leaves to delicately wrap each fried morsel, truly blew me away.

From Salon

Stew beef and mushrooms sizzle in butter and herbs until browned.

From Salon

That’s the thing about oregano: it’s rarely the main character when it comes to spices, alliums, or herbs.

From Salon

The forgotten appliances, the ignored herbs, the quiet vegetables that ask nothing from you — and transform completely when given a little time.

From Salon

Enjoy this pasta coated in a buttery herb sauce or topped with fresh arugula, sunflower seeds, shaved parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

From Salon

Related Words

• flower 
• grass 
• seedling 
• shrub 
• tree 
• vine 
• weed