mint family

American

noun

the large plant family Labiatae (or Lamiaceae), characterized by aromatic herbaceous plants having square stems, simple leaves, clusters of two-lipped flowers, and fruit in the form of small nutlets, and including basil, bee balm, catnip, coleus, lavender, marjoram, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, sage, spearmint, and thyme.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Menthol is a naturally occurring cyclic monoterpene alcohol found in various plants, particularly in members of the mint family such as peppermint and spearmint.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2024

Basil belongs to the mint family, and is an essential herb in Italian and Mediterranean cooking.

From Washington Times • Jun. 8, 2023

They’re a member of the mint family, so they spread fairly easily, and when the flowers dry, they continue to add interest in the garden.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2022

Although nettles are in the mint family, with similar shaped leaf and flower shape, they are not fragrant or minty.

From Salon • Aug. 23, 2021

Betony is a herb belonging to the mint family, and its root was formerly employed in medicine as an emetic or purgative.

From All About Coffee by Ukers, William H. (William Harrison)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023