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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.


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

"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

Etymology

Origin of oregano

First recorded in 1765–75; from Spanish orégano : “wild marjoram,” from Latin orīganum. See origan

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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.

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

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

An almost aggressively spiced medley: Italian breadcrumbs, Old Bay, thyme, oregano, garlic powder; a pantry symphony that bordered on excessive in the way only a ’90s “healthy” recipe could.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 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

It was the simplest of pantry dinners, but the oregano made it taste intentional, almost glamorous: a weekday dish dressed up for company.

From Salon • Aug. 26, 2025

In a matter of seconds, Woo is snuggled up to the laundry units, licking the parmesan and oregano off the bread.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

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