oregano

American  

[uh-reg-uh-noh, aw-reg‑] / əˈrɛg əˌnoʊ, ɔˈrɛg‑ /

noun

1. an aromatic herb, Origanum vulgare, of the mint family, having leaves used as seasoning in cooking.

---

oregano British  

/ ˌɒrɪˈɡɑːnəʊ /

noun

1. a Mediterranean variety of wild marjoram ( Origanum vulgare ), with pungent leaves

2. the dried powdered leaves of this plant, used to season food

---

Etymology

Origin of oregano

First recorded in 1765–75; from Spanish orégano : “wild marjoram,” from Latin orīganum. See origan

Compare meaning

How does oregano compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• marjoram vs. oregano

Example Sentences

An almost aggressively spiced medley: Italian breadcrumbs, Old Bay, thyme, oregano, garlic powder; a pantry symphony that bordered on excessive in the way only a ’90s “healthy” recipe could.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

Her family’s version of gumbo starts with chicken thighs, which are seasoned with paprika, cayenne, oregano and salt.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2025

"We also identified other herbs, such as thyme and oregano, that may activate TRPA1. But rosemary stood out for its potency and safety," said Rapp Reyes, co-lead author of the study.

From Science Daily • Dec. 7, 2025

I added a little more butter, then, with a thrill of reckless curiosity, drizzled in maple syrup, white miso, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds and oregano, watching each addition dissolve and bloom.

From Salon • Nov. 18, 2025

Her mother began pulling spices from the cabinet—salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and oregano.

From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson