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• rosemary
  rosemary

  noun

  an evergreen shrub, Rosmarinus officinalis, of the mint family, native to the Mediterranean region, having leathery, narrow leaves and pale-blue, bell-shaped flowers, used as a seasoning and in perfumery and medicine: a traditional symbol of remembrance.
• Rosemary
  Rosemary

  noun

  a female given name.

rosemary

¹ American  

[rohz-mair-ee, -muh-ree] / ˈroʊzˌmɛər i, -mə ri /

noun

rosemaries plural

1. an evergreen shrub, Rosmarinus officinalis, of the mint family, native to the Mediterranean region, having leathery, narrow leaves and pale-blue, bell-shaped flowers, used as a seasoning and in perfumery and medicine: a traditional symbol of remembrance.

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Rosemary ² American  

[rohz-mair-ee, -muh-ree] / ˈroʊzˌmɛər i, -mə ri /

noun

1. a female given name.

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rosemary British  

/ ˈrəʊzmərɪ /

noun

1. an aromatic European shrub, Rosmarinus officinalis , widely cultivated for its grey-green evergreen leaves, which are used in cookery for flavouring and yield a fragrant oil used in the manufacture of perfumes: family Lamiaceae (labiates). It is the traditional flower of remembrance

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• rosemaries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rosemary

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English rose mary (by folk etymology, influenced by rose ¹ and the name Mary ), from Latin rōs “dew” + marīnus “marine,” or rōs maris “dew of the sea” (in English the final -s mistaken for plural sign)

Example Sentences

The new investigation “raised concerns that some patients may have been denied medically necessary care,” said Rosemary Bartholomew, the lead author of the reports.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Maybe you have looked at the clouds and imagined a sailboat, a seahorse, or even your great-aunt Rosemary staring back at you.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

He and his wife Chelsea welcomed London Rosemary Joy Freeman, with London a nod to Chelsea’s English family and Rosemary Joy Freeman as the full name of his late mother.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

"He couldn't walk down the street without everybody getting hold of him and wanting to take him in the pub," says his cousin, Rosemary Elmore.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Rosemary appears from a side hall like an angel from heaven.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen