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

Drizzle with oil, oregano and crushed red pepper. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025

Stir in tomatoes, jalapeño, garlic, tomato sauce, cilantro, onion, cumin, oregano and 1 teaspoon of the salt. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025

The result is a whisky that opens with baked apple, oregano, and honeysuckle, moves into butterscotch and spice, and finishes with white pepper, ginger, and a lingering wisp of campfire. —Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Plant beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cilantro, cauliflower, cabbage, garlic, kale, onions, oregano, parsley, peas, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, rosemary, thyme, and turnips. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025

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