marjoram

[ mahr-jer-uhm ]

/ ˈmɑr dʒər əm /

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noun

any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Origanum, of the mint family, especially O. majorana(sweet marjoram ), having leaves used as seasoning in cooking.

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Compare oregano.

Origin of marjoram

1350–1400; Middle English majorane<Medieval Latin majorana, variant of majoraca, alteration of Latin amāracus<Greek amā́rakos marjoram

Words nearby marjoram

Maritsa, Mariupol, Marius, Marivaux, marjolaine, marjoram, Marjory, mark, marka, Mark Antony, markdown

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use marjoram in a sentence

Cue the meatless Irish stew, an enlightened bowl gathering whatever vegetables look good in the market in a broth lush with marjoram, rosemary and thyme.
Mattie & Eddie’s channels the Irish spirit of a veteran chef’s grandparents|Tom Sietsema|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
In case you are not familiar with it, za’atar is a Middle Eastern herb mix which, although the exact blend varies, is usually some combination of dried oregano, thyme, marjoram, sumac and sesame seeds.
Chickpeas, tomatoes and za’atar are the stars of this fun pizza on a pita|Ellie Krieger|April 22, 2021|Washington Post
And I use generous amounts of fresh marjoram, the herb I always consider first when I cook with mushrooms.
5 Recipes From a Top Chef Master|Cookstr.com|April 6, 2010|DAILY BEAST
A grass with knotted or jointed stem: some, however, suppose marjoram to be intended here.
Milton's Comus|John Milton

Then he suddenly demands the password from Edgar, and Edgar immediately answers him with the words "Sweet marjoram."
Tolstoy on Shakespeare|Leo Tolstoy
Mix together some grated bread, and some marjoram and onion chopped fine.
Domestic French Cookery, 4th ed.|Sulpice Baru
There was lavender, the blossoms had been gathered long ago, and sweet marjoram and sweet clover.
A Little Girl in Old Salem|Amanda Minnie Douglas
One winter Mrs. Marjoram was taken ill, and, being so very old, her life was despaired of.
Continental Monthly, Vol. I. February, 1862, No. II.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for marjoram

marjoram

/ (ˈmɑːdʒərəm) /

noun

Also called: sweet marjoram an aromatic Mediterranean plant, Origanum (or Marjorana) hortensis, with small pale purple flowers and sweet-scented leaves, used for seasoning food and in salads: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

Also called: wild marjoram, pot marjoram, origan a similar and related European plant, Origanum vulgareSee also oregano, origanum

Word Origin for marjoram

C14: via Old French majorane, from Medieval Latin marjorana

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012