herb·al
ˈ(h)ər-bəl 
1
: a book about plants especially with reference to their medicinal properties
2
archaic
: herbarium sense 1
3
: herbal medicine sense 2
Some herbals may indeed be gentle remedies. But using them with prescription drugs can be a dangerous mix.—
Josh Fischman
Josh FischmanExamples of herbal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Molly Higgins, Wired News, 23 Jan. 2026
Those bottlings tend to be richer and more assertive, showcasing rye bread, earthy grain, pepper, baking spices, and a tannic grip, while still preserving rye’s signature herbal and minty notes that many drinkers associate with Canadian rye.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The latter has a full-service spa, where visitors can experience seasonal services utilizing the area’s flora, including an herbal massage featuring lemongrass, rosemary, basil and marjoram, designed by the spa’s in-house herbalist, or a strawberry rhubarb body polish & hydrating massage.
—Anna Katherine Clemmons, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for herbal
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Noun
The breathable material is infused with herbals like ashwagandha, valerian root, lavender, L-theanine, passion flower, lemon balm, and 4 milligrams of melatonin.
—Molly Higgins, Wired News, 23 Jan. 2026
Those bottlings tend to be richer and more assertive, showcasing rye bread, earthy grain, pepper, baking spices, and a tannic grip, while still preserving rye’s signature herbal and minty notes that many drinkers associate with Canadian rye.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Saphier also has dipped into the wellness product industry, creating a line of herbal supplements called Drop Rx, according to her LinkedIn profile.
—Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The latter has a full-service spa, where visitors can experience seasonal services utilizing the area’s flora, including an herbal massage featuring lemongrass, rosemary, basil and marjoram, designed by the spa’s in-house herbalist, or a strawberry rhubarb body polish & hydrating massage.
—Anna Katherine Clemmons, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for herbal
Cite this Entry
“Herbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herbal. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
herbal
1 of 2 noun
herb·al
ˈ(h)ər-bəl
1
: a book about plants especially with reference to their medical properties
2
herbal
2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or made of herbs
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