verbena

noun

ver·​be·​na (ˌ)vər-ˈbē-nə 

: vervain

especially : any of numerous garden vervains of hybrid origin widely grown for their showy spikes of white, pink, red, or blue flowers which are borne in profusion over a long season compare lemon verbena

Examples of verbena in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Grasses, verbena and other low-growing plants in the dunes will help anchor the sand in a natural way and build a buffer to protect nearby structures from erosion, Timberlake said Tuesday. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026

Its vegan formula is enriched with creamy shea butter and refreshing verbena leaf extract (that also happens to be 100 percent organic) for an invigorating shower experience that whisks you away to the lush countryside of Provence. —Olivia Rose Rushing, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026

Far Niente 2023 Chardonnay has enticing aromas of cantaloupe melon, white peach, and citrus blossoms that transfer seamlessly to the palate with the addition of verbena, Bartlett pear, and lemon curd. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2026

White marigolds represent the country's stars, and pink verbena symbolizes freedom. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Verbena, a plant genus, going back to Medieval Latin verbēna "the plant Verbena officinalis," going back to Latin, "leafy branch used ceremonially or medicinally" — more at vervain

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing verbena

• lemon verbena
• sand verbena

Rhymes for verbena

• arena
• athena
• cantina
• carina
• carmina
• catena
• czarina
• domina
• equina
• farina
• galena
• glossina

Kids Definition

verbena

noun

ver·​be·​na (ˌ)vər-ˈbē-nə 

: any of a genus of numerous plants including some that are often grown in gardens for their showy spikes of white, pink, red, or blue flowers