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

The turkey sandwich had sweet whole cloves of roasted garlic and tomatoes with a bright lemony arugula. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Nov. 2026

How To Store Arugula Because moisture is the enemy of arugula, it should be stored in the refrigerator. — Molly Allen, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2026

Then, of course, there’s the sandwich that started it all — the Sublime, with prosciutto, hot soppressata, burrata, fresh walnut pesto, spicy garlic aioli, sundried tomatoes and arugula. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

How To Enjoy Cruciferous vegetables include arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, daikon, kale, mustard greens, radish, and turnip. — Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2026

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