oregano
Americannoun
noun
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a Mediterranean variety of wild marjoram ( Origanum vulgare ), with pungent leaves
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the dried powdered leaves of this plant, used to season food
Etymology
Origin of oregano
First recorded in 1765–75; from Spanish orégano : “wild marjoram,” from Latin orīganum. See origan
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Vocabulary lists containing oregano
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.
Oregano, especially in its dried form — which sharpens and intensifies into something almost resinous, unlike its greener, more delicate fresh counterpart — has become the backbone of my pantry cooking.
From Salon • Aug. 26, 2025
Most of the old photos included either my mother or his cats, Basil and Oregano — Reggie for short.
From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2022
Oregano grows in my garden like a weed, but if you don’t have fresh on hand, dried is fine … just note the difference in amounts.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 27, 2022
Oregano and Cuban oregano grow next to each other alongside a patch of salad burnet.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2018
If there's mail waiting for Oregano, Basil will send it at that time.
From The Online World by De Presno, Odd
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
