myrrh

noun

ˈmər 

: a yellowish-brown to reddish-brown aromatic gum resin with a bitter slightly pungent taste obtained from a tree (especially Commiphora myrrha of the family Burseraceae) of eastern Africa and Arabia

also : a mixture of myrrh and labdanum

Examples of myrrh in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Blood orange and saffron ignite the air, myrrh smolders beneath, and the woods hum with market heat. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025

The cathedral smells strongly of myrrh oil from Jerusalem. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

Three Kings Gifts in Cockeysville, Maryland, specializes in nativity sets and small chests of gold, frankincense, and myrrh — the three gifts given to baby Jesus in the Bible. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025

Anchoring the composition is the unparalleled richness of the 80-year-old oud itself—its velvety, resinous depth enhanced by patchouli, creamy sandalwood, and myrrh. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English myrre, from Old English, from Latin myrrha, from Greek, of Semitic origin; akin to Arabic murr myrrh

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for myrrh

• birr
• blur
• bur
• cur
• er
• fir
• fur
• furr
• gurr
• her
• murr
• per

Kids Definition

myrrh

noun

ˈmər 

: a brown slightly bitter gum obtained from African and Arabian trees and used especially in perfumes or formerly in incense

Medical Definition

myrrh

noun

ˈmər 

: a yellowish to reddish brown aromatic bitter gum resin that is obtained from various trees (genus Commiphora) especially of East Africa and Arabia (as C. myrrha or C. abyssinica) and has been used in the manufacture of dentifrices and as a carminative and a stimulating tonic compare bdellium