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

Guests can sidle up to the alchemy bar to learn to how to harness the superpower of local herbs and plants, or practice meditation and yoga in an open-air rooftop studio. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026

Kratom is an herb from the leaves of the tropical tree Mitragyna speciosa native to Southeast Asia. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026

Cohen recommends Persian herb stew, Moroccan carrot salad, Libyan fish stew or Yemenite soup with a matzo ball. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026

This herb is described as having a warm earthy flavor. —Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 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