myrrh

noun

ˈmər 

: a yellowish-brown to reddish-brown aromatic gum resin with a bitter slightly pungent taste obtained from a tree (especially Commiphora myrrha of the family Burseraceae) of eastern Africa and Arabia

also : a mixture of myrrh and labdanum

Examples of myrrh in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The natural fragrance includes notes of tart, rum, tuberose, myrrh, tolu balsam, cherry, and cacao—the latter two created from upcycled food-industry waste. —airmail.news, 11 Jan. 2025

Frankincense and myrrh are herbs burned to cover the stench of death. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025

The blend of sweet violet, palo santo, frankincense, myrrh and ambrox is delightfully serene. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

The first spritz of You Doux opens with sweet violet, followed by a precious blend of woody palo santo and smoky myrrh. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English myrre, from Old English, from Latin myrrha, from Greek, of Semitic origin; akin to Arabic murr myrrh

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

myrrh

noun

ˈmər 

: a brown slightly bitter gum obtained from African and Arabian trees and used especially in perfumes or formerly in incense

Medical Definition

myrrh

noun

ˈmər 

: a yellowish to reddish brown aromatic bitter gum resin that is obtained from various trees (genus Commiphora) especially of East Africa and Arabia (as C. myrrha or C. abyssinica) and has been used in the manufacture of dentifrices and as a carminative and a stimulating tonic compare bdellium