hyssop

American  

[his-uhp] / ˈhɪs əp /

noun

hyssops plural

1. any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Hyssopus, of the mint family, especially H. officinalis, native to Europe, having clusters of small blue flowers.

2. any of several related or similar plants, especially of the genera Agastache or Gratiola.

3. Bible. a plant, perhaps the origan, whose twigs were used in ceremonial sprinkling.

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hyssop British  

/ ˈhɪsəp /

noun

1. a widely cultivated Asian plant, Hyssopus officinalis, with spikes of small blue flowers and aromatic leaves, used as a condiment and in perfumery and folk medicine: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

2. any of several similar or related plants such as the hedge hyssop

3. a Biblical plant, used for sprinkling in the ritual practices of the Hebrews

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• hyssops
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hyssop

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English ysope, from Late Latin ysōpus, for Latin hyssōpus, from Greek hýssōpos, from Semitic (compare Hebrew ēzōbh ); conformed to Latin or Greek from the mid-16th century

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hyssop hyssops

Announced last week in a post on Instagram, the drink was described as a “clarified tonic” with coconut water, jasmine tea, raw honey, holy basil, anise hyssop, green cardamom, white grape juice and coconut milk.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026

As for herbal teas, Ziata recommended Steven Smith Teamaker’s Meadow blend, which includes golden Egyptian chamomile flowers, hyssop, Cape rooibos, rose petals and linden flowers.

From Salon ● Apr. 18, 2025

Wiseman, 47, offered a package containing a small bottle of hyssop, cedarwood and olive oil along with a prayer card and piece of scarlet yarn.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2024

Here: saseuljeok — literally, “grilled chain skewers” — made with alternating pieces of American Wagyu beef and line-caught tilefish, with char-grilled zucchini and a salad of scallions, lettuce, anise hyssop and herbs.Credit...Photograph by David Chow.

From New York Times ● Oct. 12, 2022

I inhaled deeply the scent of rosewater and lavender hyssop that for years hence would bring her image to my mind.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Fragrant nicotiana; tall, pale-yellow red hot pokers; cosmos; Japanese anemone; asters; spiked purple hyssops; lilies; and rose mallow.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 22, 2019

When the clouds shake their hyssops, and the rain Like holy water falls upon the plain, 'Tis sweet to gaze upon the springing grain And see your harvest born.

From Georgian Poetry 1913-15 by Marsh, Edward Howard, Sir