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

Chickpeas, sesame seeds, and dark green vegetables, such as kale, arugula, and broccoli, are good sources of calcium. —Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024

This salad doubles up on greens—with broccoli and baby arugula—and it's all brought together with a bright and briny lemon-honey dressing. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024

Spicy arugula instead of the usual L in a BLT was a nice upgrade. —Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024

The Bolognese uses Peads & Barnetts beef and pork; sandwiches might be stuffed with carrots and arugula with stracciatella, or porchetta with sweet peaches. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 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