Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A perennial Eurasian herb (Origanum vulgare) in the mint family, having aromatic leaves.
  • noun The leaves of this plant used as a seasoning.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In Spanish-American countries, a common name of a number of aromatic plants belonging chiefly to the Verbenaceæ and to the mint family. In Mexico the principal ones are Lippia Palmeri, of the west coast; L. Berlandieri, of the warmer regions of the interior; and Poliomintha longiflora, of the vicinity of Saltillo: all of which are used in the same manner as sage and thyme in seasoning sausages and other articles of food.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A herb of the mint family, Origanum vulgare, having aromatic leaves.
  • noun The leaves of this plant used in flavouring food.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun pungent leaves used as seasoning with meats and fowl and in stews and soups and omelets
  • noun aromatic Eurasian perennial

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Spanish orégano, wild marjoram, from Latin orīganum, from Greek orīganon.]

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word oregano.

Examples

  • The word oregano is Greek for “joy of the mountain” and was almost unheard of in the United States until soldiers who had been stationed in Italy during World War II returned home raving about it.

    From Warehouse to Your House Sally Sampson 2006

  • The word oregano is Greek for “joy of the mountain” and was almost unheard of in the United States until soldiers who had been stationed in Italy during World War II returned home raving about it.

    From Warehouse to Your House Sally Sampson 2006

  • The word oregano is Greek for “joy of the mountain” and was almost unheard of in the United States until soldiers who had been stationed in Italy during World War II returned home raving about it.

    From Warehouse to Your House Sally Sampson 2006

  • Orégano (oregano) origanum vulgare: This variety of oregano is the most commonly found in Mexico, and is most often used dry.

    A Culinary Guide to Mexican Herbs: Las Hierbas de Cocina 2006

  • Orégano (oregano) origanum vulgare: This variety of oregano is the most commonly found in Mexico, and is most often used dry.

    A Culinary Guide to Mexican Herbs: Las Hierbas de Cocina 2006

  • Orégano (oregano) origanum vulgare: This variety of oregano is the most commonly found in Mexico, and is most often used dry.

    A Culinary Guide to Mexican Herbs: Las Hierbas de Cocina 2006

  • Their Canadian Bacon-Pinneapple made with the most flavorful Mozzarella, sprinkled with beautiful oregano is not only simple, sweet and savory at the same time but also utterly delicious.

    Seattle's Zeeks Pizza delivers! 2004

  • Their Canadian Bacon-Pinneapple made with the most flavorful Mozzarella, sprinkled with beautiful oregano is not only simple, sweet and savory at the same time but also utterly delicious.

    Seattle Bon Vivant: 2004

  • Their Canadian Bacon-Pinneapple made with the most flavorful Mozzarella, sprinkled with beautiful oregano is not only simple, sweet and savory at the same time but also utterly delicious.

    Seattle's Zeeks Pizza delivers! 2004

  • Cooking 420 with Chef Barry, which follows a scraggly, red-eyed foodie who's always trying to put his secret ingredient - "oregano" - into ill-fated dishes; Ben Meinhardt's

    The Clog 2009

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • Comment on pepper

    November 30, 2016