herb

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

Examples of herb in a Sentence

a dish seasoned with chopped fresh herbs

rosemary, sage, and other herbs

Recent Examples on the Web

Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and fresh herbs. —Laura McLively, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025

Tuna and Cucumber Bites You may try garlic herb, za'atar, or herbs de Provence. —Lauren O'Connor, Health, 25 Dec. 2025

In a medium bowl stir together herbs, panko, 1/4 cup water, the egg, garlic, 1 tsp. —Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025

Carved into the stone walls of the historic shipyard, the arrival lounge feels like an entrance to a secret bazaar, brimming with holistic tinctures and fragrant herbs. —Jackie Caradonio, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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