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.

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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

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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

Into that fat, add sliced shallots and garlic with a pinch of thyme and oregano.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

Chickpeas tossed with olive oil, harissa, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, and an almost unreasonable amount of lemon zest.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2026

"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 scan the little slots until I find mine: a refill of Greek oregano, parceled out in a plastic baggie with a heat-sealed strip.

From Salon • Aug. 26, 2025

We ran around the yard a couple of times to throw them off then sneaked into the oregano bushes that grew thick and fragrant behind the outhouse.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago