arugula

noun

aru·​gu·​la ə-ˈrü-gə-lə 

-gyə-

: a yellowish-flowered Mediterranean herb (Eruce sativa synonym E. vesicaria sativa) of the mustard family cultivated for its foliage which is used especially in salads

called also garden rocket, rocket, roquette, rugola

Examples of arugula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Herbs: Anise, arugula, basil, bay, chives, cilantro, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, lavender, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, thyme and watercress. —Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024

Drizzle with honey, and top with arugula and bacon. —Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2024

Food offerings include breakfast sandwiches like the bacon breakfast sandwich ($12) with house garlic aioli that pairs well with the crispy bacon and fresh arugula, enveloped by a buttery brioche bun. —Irene Milanez, Sacramento Bee, 25 July 2024

The arugula and raspberry vinaigrette revolution For California’s original foodies, the rise of Ronald Reagan’s America in the 1980s was a bit hard to stomach. —Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, probably from a southern dialectal form of Tuscan ruca, rucola, as Neapolitan arucola, arucolo, with English spelling -gu- reflecting lenis articulation of consonants and reduction of vowels — more at rocket entry 1

Note: For similar reflection in English spelling of southern Italian articulation compare agita, goombah. Forms with the initial ēr- of the Latin etymon ērūca "arugula, Eruca vesicaria" opened to ar- are widespread in Italian dialects—see Lessico etimologico italiano, letter E, columns 733-34.

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above