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

Each is a spectacular blend of Spanish, African, and Indigenous ingredients and techniques—garlic, onion, peppers, and herbs pounded in a wooden mortar and pestle with Taíno roots called a pilón, binding the island’s ancestral and colonial cultures. — Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Nov. 2026

Mixly builds flavor with fruit, acidity, herbs and bitter botanicals. — Julia Fields fox News May Be Compensated For, Or Earn A Commission If You Buy Through, Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Slightly west, Sultan-Epe lies beside a deep canyon, where a stream threads through thickets of mulberry, buckthorn, blackberry, and wild herbs—another improbable pocket of green in one of Kazakhstan’s driest regions. — Avantika Chaturvedi, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026

In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, herbs, pinches of salt and pepper, and a spoonful of warm broth. — Cate Huguelet, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 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