arugula

noun

aru·​gu·​la ə-ˈrü-gə-lə How to pronounce arugula (audio)
-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
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There’s plenty of salami, too, of course, along with sweet and sharp roasted red peppers, balsamic vinegar, red onion and arugula. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025 Other members of this healthy group include arugula, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, collard and mustard greens wasabi and watercress. Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025 The Angus beef burger is topped with cheddar, arugula, tomato and pickle sauce, and served on a brioche bun along with roasted garlic french fries. Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 17 Sep. 2025 In addition to grape stem cells, the fast-absorbing spray includes caffeine and antioxidant-rich arugula leaf extract to help keep fallout at bay. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for arugula

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

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Cite this Entry

“Arugula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arugula. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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