thyme

noun

ˈtīm 

also

ˈthīm 

1

: any of a genus (Thymus) of Eurasian mints with small pungent aromatic leaves

especially : a Mediterranean garden herb (T. vulgaris)

2

: thyme leaves used as a seasoning

Examples of thyme in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One knockout concoction called The Persephone, boasts gin, elderflower, crème de violet and thyme, a pun to the time Persephone spent in the underworld. —Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025

Remove from oven and sprinkle with more thyme. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025

Next door, the open-air M Bar was perfect for sunset mocktails—fragrant with thyme, basil, orgeat, and fresh berries—or a craft cocktail, if that’s your thing. —Lisa Greissinger, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025

Some available research suggests that thyme essential oils may have anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties.7 Thyme is a great herb to use in meat dishes. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French time, thime, from Latin thymum, from Greek thymon, probably from thyein to make a burnt offering, sacrifice; akin to Latin fumus smoke — more at fume

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing thyme

• lemon thyme

Rhymes for thyme

• chime
• chyme
• climb
• clime
• crime
• dime
• grime
• lime
• lyme
• mime
• prime
• rhyme

Kids Definition

thyme

noun

ˈtīm 

 also  ˈthīm

1

: any of a genus of Eurasian mints with small fragrant leaves

especially : one grown for use in seasoning food

2

: thyme leaves used as a seasoning

Medical Definition

thyme

noun

ˈtīm also ˈthīm

: any of a genus (Thymus) of mints with small pungent aromatic leaves

especially : a garden herb (T. vulgaris) used in seasoning and formerly in medicine especially as a stimulant and carminative