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

On Saturdays, Jackson brings her harvest—lush bundles ranging from arugula and bok choy to her coveted microgreens—to Birdsong Farmers Market. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 9 July 2025

Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, arugula, and kale are chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 23 June 2025

Many of them are vegetarian (Tomato and farro salad with arugula! —Tanya Sichynsky, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Bacon bits, cheese, sour cream, red onion, roasted bell pepper and arugula were drizzled in a mouthwatering garlic oil. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 27 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