arugula
noun
aru·gu·la ə-ˈrü-gə-lə 
-gyə-
: a yellowish-flowered Mediterranean herb (Eruca vesicaria sativa) of the mustard family cultivated for its foliage which is used especially in salads
called also garden rocket, rocket, roquette, rugola
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Place the arugula in a very large bowl, ideally one that could hold twice as many leaves. 
San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 Lay the arugula on a serving platter and cover evenly with the dressed veggies and chips. Reem Assil, Robb Report, 11 June 2022 Papuashvili’s wife, Lucia Mascia, served a squid pasta dish and arugula-and-citrus salad, and Papuashvili poured white wine. Annie Hylton, The New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2022 Add the arugula and herbs to a large bowl along with scoops of avocado. Christian Reynoso, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2022 To dress the arugula, a bit of the brine from the jarred artichoke hearts that are also featured. Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2021 Divide the arugula on four plates, top immediately with the hot mushrooms. Elizabeth Karmel, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021 Scatter the arugula, tomatoes, avocado chunks and herbs on top. Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2021 The arugula sprouted on schedule, but the lettuce did not. Washington Post, 23 June 2021 See More
San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 Lay the arugula on a serving platter and cover evenly with the dressed veggies and chips. Reem Assil, Robb Report, 11 June 2022 Papuashvili’s wife, Lucia Mascia, served a squid pasta dish and arugula-and-citrus salad, and Papuashvili poured white wine. Annie Hylton, The New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2022 Add the arugula and herbs to a large bowl along with scoops of avocado. Christian Reynoso, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2022 To dress the arugula, a bit of the brine from the jarred artichoke hearts that are also featured. Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2021 Divide the arugula on four plates, top immediately with the hot mushrooms. Elizabeth Karmel, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021 Scatter the arugula, tomatoes, avocado chunks and herbs on top. Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2021 The arugula sprouted on schedule, but the lettuce did not. Washington Post, 23 June 2021 See More 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