tarragon

American  

[tar-uh-gon, -guhn] / ˈtær əˌgɒn, -gən /

noun

1. an Old World plant, Artemisia dracunculus, having aromatic leaves used for seasoning.

2. the leaves themselves.

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tarragon British  

/ ˈtærəɡən /

noun

1. an aromatic perennial plant, Artemisia dracunculus, of the Old World, having whitish flowers and small toothed leaves, which are used as seasoning: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. the leaves of this plant

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Etymology

Origin of tarragon

1530–40; earlier taragon < Middle French targon, variant of tarc ( h ) on < Medieval Latin < Medieval Greek tarchṓn < Arabic ṭarkhūn < Greek drákōn literally, dragon; compare Latin dracunculus tarragon

Example Sentences

Herbs: Specifically, thyme, tarragon and rosemary — aromatic herbs that go well in almost any savory dish.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2026

Fold in winter herbs like tarragon, rosemary, or thyme, or add a swipe of really good mustard for heat and backbone.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2025

I get some tarragon mustard made by Edmond Fallot and a bag of Martelli pasta.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

To be fair, tarragon is often oddly hard to find in grocery stores near me.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2025

Baskets of sabzi—parsley and watercress and tarragon and basil and mint, stalks of green onion, fresh radishes carved into flowers—sat on each table.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram