tarragon

American  

[tar-uh-gon, -guhn] / ˈtær əˌgɒn, -gən /

noun

1. an Old World plant, Artemisia dracunculus, having aromatic leaves used for seasoning.

2. the leaves themselves.

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tarragon British  

/ ˈtærəɡən /

noun

1. an aromatic perennial plant, Artemisia dracunculus, of the Old World, having whitish flowers and small toothed leaves, which are used as seasoning: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. the leaves of this plant

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Etymology

Origin of tarragon

1530–40; earlier taragon < Middle French targon, variant of tarc ( h ) on < Medieval Latin < Medieval Greek tarchṓn < Arabic ṭarkhūn < Greek drákōn literally, dragon; compare Latin dracunculus tarragon

Example Sentences

On one side were the vegetables and herbs: tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, mini broccoli, chives, parsley, tarragon and chervil.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

I get some tarragon mustard made by Edmond Fallot and a bag of Martelli pasta.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

But also mint, dill, parsley, tarragon if you’re a chaos agent.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2025

But their fried chicken sandwich — made with crumbed chicken schnitzel, tarragon butter, lettuce and housemade pickle mayo on a steamed potato bun — is their bestseller.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2025

“And will there be awful meals, with food made from recipes, with garlic and tarragon and broad beans in?” asked Coraline.

From "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman