dill

noun \ ˈdil \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Definition of dill

1 a : any of several plants of the carrot family; especially : a European herb (Anethum graveolens) with aromatic foliage and seeds both of which are used in flavoring foods and especially pickles

b : the foliage of dill

2 : dill pickle

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dilled

adjective

See dill defined for English-language learners

See dill defined for kids

Recent Examples of dill from the Web

In pots or in the ground, seeds of basil, dill and cilantro are among the annual herbs that can be sown now for harvest in a few weeks.

— jo ellen meyers sharp, Indianapolis Star, "The Hoosier Gardener: Sow seeds now for late-summer edibles," 8 July 2018
The sausage comes with a choice of sides; cucumber salad, fairly lush with fresh dill, is the bomb; the house red cabbage tasted more of cinnamon than the usual cloves, still in the warm-spice family.

— carol deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "International flavors, down at the corner bar, are an American experience," 3 July 2018
Dishes riff on classics, like a Scandi twist on carpaccio with dill and caraway or a very Midwestern-tasting crisp-skinned trout with aioli underneath.

— Bon Appetit, "Diner," 25 June 2018
Plant dill, parsley, sweet clover, and other herbs to attract adult flies.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "10 Insects You Should Actually Want Around Your Plants," 11 May 2016
Or their bright orange, Moroccan-inflected carrots flecked with crunchy walnuts and fresh dill.

— s.pellegrino®, Bon Appetit, "A Beach Picnic, L.A. Chef–Style," 25 June 2018
My first challenge was locating all the ingredients, of which there are 22, including, but not limited to, avocados, bread, carrots, garlic, crème fraîche, cardamom pods, unsalted butter, lemons, dill, and ground sumac.

— madeleine aggeler, The Cut, "I Made Sqirl’s 22-Ingredient Avocado Toast," 1 June 2018
Herbs: Anise, basil, bay laurel, chives, dill, ginger, marjoram, mint, oregano, sage and thyme. 6.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "June in the garden," 26 May 2018
Smoked Steelhead crudo, horseradish cream, pickled apple and celery root, popped quinoa, fresh dill. . . .

— michael russell | the oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "Portland's 10 biggest restaurant openings of spring, 2018," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dill.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dill

Middle English dile, from Old English; akin to Old High German tilli dill

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Dill

biographical name \ ˈdil \

Definition of Dill

Sir John Greer 1881–1944 British general

DILL Defined for English Language Learners

dill

noun

Definition of dill for English Language Learners

: an herb with leaves that are used in cooking and with seeds that are used in flavoring foods such as pickles

DILL Defined for Kids

dill

noun \ ˈdil \

Definition of dill for Students

: an herb that is related to the carrot plant and has fragrant leaves and seeds used in flavoring foods and especially pickles

Medical Dictionary

dill

noun \ ˈdil \

medical Definition of dill

: any of several plants of the family Umbelliferae; especially : a European herb (Anethum graveolens) with aromatic seeds and foliage that are used in flavoring foods and especially pickles