thyme
noun
ˈtīm 
also
ˈthīm 1
: any of a genus (Thymus) of Eurasian mints with small pungent aromatic leaves
especially : a Mediterranean garden herb (T. vulgaris)
2
: thyme leaves used as a seasoning
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Add the jalapeño, garlic and thyme, and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and golden, about 2 minutes. 
Mackensy Lunsford, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 The meat is put in a casserole and stewed with tomato (which arrived in Italy rather later than the dish's origins), garlic and wild thyme, which grows abundantly on the island. Julia Buckley, CNN, 27 May 2022 Add garlic, shallots, lemon zest and juice, thyme and Old Bay seasoning. Kathleen Squires, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 The pastry dough is laced with curry powder, olive oil, garlic, thyme and turmeric. Jenn Harriscolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2022 Step 3Combine cream, garlic, thyme and pepper in a separate microwavable bowl. People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 30 July 2022 This one smells like peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary, along with rich hints of thyme and light cedar wood. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 14 July 2022 Very savory with thyme and rhubarb leading the way, ending in ripe, full-on strawberry. Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 2 July 2022 Some of my creeping thyme has suddenly died out, but the soil doesn’t stay soggy. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2022 See More
Mackensy Lunsford, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 The meat is put in a casserole and stewed with tomato (which arrived in Italy rather later than the dish's origins), garlic and wild thyme, which grows abundantly on the island. Julia Buckley, CNN, 27 May 2022 Add garlic, shallots, lemon zest and juice, thyme and Old Bay seasoning. Kathleen Squires, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 The pastry dough is laced with curry powder, olive oil, garlic, thyme and turmeric. Jenn Harriscolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2022 Step 3Combine cream, garlic, thyme and pepper in a separate microwavable bowl. People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 30 July 2022 This one smells like peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary, along with rich hints of thyme and light cedar wood. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 14 July 2022 Very savory with thyme and rhubarb leading the way, ending in ripe, full-on strawberry. Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 2 July 2022 Some of my creeping thyme has suddenly died out, but the soil doesn’t stay soggy. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French time, thime, from Latin thymum, from Greek thymon, probably from thyein to make a burnt offering, sacrifice; akin to Latin fumus smoke — more at fume
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing thyme
Kids Definition
thyme
noun
ˈtīm
: a mint with tiny fragrant leaves used especially in cooking
Medical Definition
thyme
noun
ˈtīm also ˈthīm
: any of a genus (Thymus) of mints with small pungent aromatic leaves
especially : a garden herb (T. vulgaris) used in seasoning and formerly in medicine especially as a stimulant and carminative