herb

noun

ˈərb 

US also and British usually

ˈhərb 

often attributive

1

botany : a seed-producing annual, biennial, or perennial that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season

2

: a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities

planted parsley, basil, and rosemary in her herb garden

3

slang : marijuana sense 2

herblike

ˈ(h)ərb-ˌlīk 

adjective

herby

ˈ(h)ər-bē 

adjective

Examples of herb in a Sentence

a dish seasoned with chopped fresh herbs

rosemary, sage, and other herbs

Recent Examples on the Web

The local food, enlivened by a blend of 22 herbs and spices, is prepared over a firepit and brought to the table in clay pots. — James Rampton, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026

Raspberries, blueberries, herbs and soft tomatoes can be damaged by hard scrubbing, so swish them with your fingers under cool water instead. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026

Delicate produce like raspberries, blueberries, herbs and soft tomatoes can bruise under aggressive scrubbing, so University of Minnesota Extension suggests turning them gently in a colander while spraying them with cool water. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

Herbs & Spices Cinnamon, sage, and other herbs and spices can last for a long time (especially whole spices), but if your paprika is from the Reagan Administration, go ahead and vote it out of office. — Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English herbe, from Anglo-French, from Latin herba

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing herb

• herb doctor
• herb Robert
• willow herb

Rhymes for herb

• blurb
• curb
• erb
• kerb
• serb
• verb
• disturb
• perturb
• reverb
• superb

Kids Definition

herb

noun

ˈərb 

also

ˈhərb 

1

: a seed-producing plant that does not develop long-lived woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season

2

: a plant or plant part used for making medicine and seasonings

Medical Definition

herb

noun

ˈ(h)ərb 

often attributive

1

: a seed plant that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season

2

: a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities