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

Wash and dry the herb, then place it in ice cube trays and cover with water. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025

Thirty-five seniors who live in Encinitas received eggs, herbs and produce delivered to their doors through the farm program, Spencer said, adding that the organic items were highly prized by seniors. —Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025

The fruit and herb-forward formula refreshes strands thoroughly without stripping natural moisture, leaving hair soft, bouncy, and full of life. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025

Other dishes included figs with buffalo mozzarella and fresh herbs of mint and basil and handmade ravioli filled with sweet, nutty roasted delicata squash. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 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