herb

1 of 2

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

herby

2 of 2

adjective

ˈ(h)ərbē 

-er/-est

1

: abounding in herbaceous vegetation

2

: relating to, resembling, or tasting like an herb

a rich herby flavor

Examples of herb in a Sentence

Noun

a dish seasoned with chopped fresh herbs

rosemary, sage, and other herbs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That includes the earthen ceramics, which are made with stones from Tierra del Fuego, and the bath products, which were crafted with the citrusy Patagonian herb paramela. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

If garlic or onions regularly leave you smelling off, Cleveland Clinic suggests using them sparingly or swapping in herbs and spices. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026

The clinic also suggests swapping garlic and onions for herbs and spices if those foods trigger odor. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

Head outside, and orchard and Japanese gardens span the exterior, alongside flower and herb gardens for plenty of greenery. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Adjective

herb + y

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing herb

• herb doctor
• herb Robert
• willow herb

Rhymes for herb

• blurb
• curb
• erb
• kerb
• serb
• verb
• disturb
• perturb
• reverb
• superb

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