arugula

noun

aru·​gu·​la ə-ˈrü-gə-lə 

-gyə-

: a yellowish-flowered Mediterranean herb (Eruce sativa synonym E. vesicaria sativa) of the mustard family cultivated for its foliage which is used especially in salads

called also garden rocket, rocket, roquette, rugola

Examples of arugula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other shareables include a carbonara pizza with pancetta, egg, and parmigiano reggiano, roasted potatoes and a panzanella salad with marinated tomatoes, arugula, bread rusks and parmigiano reggiano. —Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Nov. 2025

Not a fan of turkey or arugula? —Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 21 Nov. 2025

The farm in the mountains south of Fayetteville grows nine different varieties of lettuce, including red and green varieties of Bibb, Oakleaf and Sweet Crisp lettuces, romaine, arugula, kale, bok choy, microgreens, as well as herbs like basil, thyme and oregano. —Cristina Larue, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025

Add peppery arugula leaves to sandwiches. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, probably from a southern dialectal form of Tuscan ruca, rucola, as Neapolitan arucola, arucolo, with English spelling -gu- reflecting lenis articulation of consonants and reduction of vowels — more at rocket entry 1

Note: For similar reflection in English spelling of southern Italian articulation compare agita, goombah. Forms with the initial ēr- of the Latin etymon ērūca "arugula, Eruca vesicaria" opened to ar- are widespread in Italian dialects—see Lessico etimologico italiano, letter E, columns 733-34.

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above