oregano

noun

oreg·​a·​no ə-ˈre-gə-ˌnō 

1

: a bushy perennial mint (Origanum vulgare) with leaves that are used as a seasoning and a source of aromatic oil

called also origanum, wild marjoram

2

: any of several plants (genera Lippia and Coleus) other than oregano of the vervain or mint families

Examples of oregano in a Sentence

The recipe calls for a tablespoon of chopped oregano.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chives, cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, and oregano can be planted now. —Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026

From summer through fall, light pink bracts drip like jewelry from fragrant ‘Kent Beauty’ oregano. —Johanna Silver, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026

Soup Creamy Tomato- Pear tomatoes pureed with cream and flavored with red pepper and oregano. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026

Try it with turmeric, cardamom, cayenne, paprika, coriander, allspice, cloves, oregano, cinnamon, thyme, cilantro, and garlic. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish orégano, from Spanish, wild marjoram, from Latin origanum — more at origanum

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oregano

• adagio
• altiplano
• arapaho
• arapahoe
• manifesto
• medicago
• minangkabau
• ostinato
• pistachio
• politico
• portfolio
• presidio

Kids Definition

oregano

noun

oreg·​a·​no ə-ˈreg-ə-ˌnō 

plural oreganos

: a bushy mint with leaves used as a seasoning and a source of a fragrant oil