arugula

noun

aru·gu·la ə-ˈrü-gə-lə

-gyə-

: a yellowish-flowered Mediterranean herb (Eruca 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 Similar to its veggie cousins, arugula is full of antioxidants to help reverse cell damage and fight inflammation. —

Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 10 Aug. 2024 Best bites: The watermelon and beet salad with feta was a nice balance of the peppery arugula with sweet, fresh watermelon that was firm enough to prevent the salad from getting sloppy. —

Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 9 Aug. 2024 Dinner starts with a couple glasses of chilled lambrusco, an arugula salad, and a snack plate consisting of olives, salumi that my daughter quickly devours, and pickled peppers. —

Bon Appétit, 6 Aug. 2024 Serve with mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, or an arugula salad for a complete meal. —

Phoebe Evans, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for arugula

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'arugula.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of arugula was in 1960

See more words from the same year