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

And leafy greens like spinach, kale, and arugula contain a handful of them, including lots of B9 (folate) as well as B1, B2, and B6. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 July 2025

Overall, there are about 75 pods to choose from, including herbs, flowers, leafy greens like arugula, and vegetables. —Kat Merck, Wired News, 23 July 2025

Combine roasted vegetable mixture, arugula, mint, feta cheese and dressing to serve. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025

Add arugula, basil, tomatoes, olives, salami, mozzarella and reserved pepperoncini; toss well. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 16 June 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