sweet basil

noun

: a basil (Ocimum basilicum) with whitish or purple flowers that includes several cultivars (such as bush basil)

also : its dried or fresh leaves used especially as a seasoning

Examples of sweet basil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other standout treatments include the Alpine Muscle Relief massage, which helps weary bodies recover after an exerting day, and the Spirit of the Mountains, which incorporates massage and a warm herbal poultice of lemongrass, kaffir lime and sweet basil. —Linnea Covington, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

This magnesium body lotion from Neom, $41 at Nordstrom, is scented with notes of English lavender, sweet basil and jasmine and packs a big magnesium punch to relax you. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 30 Oct. 2024

Pair with beef cooked in dark red wine or a salad of roma tomatoes, sliced soft cheeses and sweet basil leaves—Caprese style—but doused with black pepper. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

There are many different species of basils, from the common sweet basil, to a dark purpled foliaged ‘Purple Ruffles’ . —Janet B. Carson, arkansasonline.com, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1647, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sweet basil

• dazzle

Kids Definition

sweet basil

noun

: a mint that has clusters of whitish or purple flowers and leaves often used as a seasoning in cooking