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DictionaryoreganoCooking herb
noun

oregano

uh-REG-uh-noh/əˈreɡənəʊ/

An aromatic herb whose leaves are used to flavor food.

The fresh oregano lies beside a dish of its dried culinary leaves.

A close, botanically recognizable bunch of fresh oregano beside a small dish of dried oregano, with a few dried leaves scattered on a plain cutting board to establish its culinary use.
Etymology
oreGreekmountain
+ganoGreekbrightness, ornament

“Mountain ornament” is the image behind this herb's name. The culinary name also extends to Mexican oregano, a different and more pungent shrub.

In context

Gordon Ramsay3:24
oregano warm and full of delicious aromatic oils a staple of great italian dishes and perfect sprinkled on pizzas or in pasta sauces
Gordon's Guide To Herbs

More examples

  • She sprinkles dried oregano over the pizza.
  • Fresh oregano grows in a pot beside the kitchen window.
  • We mix oregano with lemon juice and oil for the marinade.

Forms

oregano

Similar words

marjoram
A closely related cooking herb with a milder, sweeter flavor.
thyme
Another savory cooking herb, but with a woodier flavor.