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

The blasts of noise and oregano at Kafeneion, a restaurant above a wine bar in a building across from the city’s Victorian-era Parliament House, ricocheted my brain to my one trip to Athens a dozen years earlier. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026

Pickles are served with every sandwich in flavors like spicy tajin, oregano and ranch. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026

Shaving them lengthwise transforms carrots into long, elegant ribbons that get tossed in a quart jar with chickpeas, cucumber, feta, fresh parsley and oregano, olive oil, and lemon juice. —Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026

Mix it with about ¼ oz coarse salt and a pinch of oregano. —Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 12 June 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
• fortissimo
• manifesto
• 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