Definition

Noun 1. A culinary herb: The common name for the plant Ocimum basilicum, an aromatic herb belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is one of the most important and widely used herbs in cooking. 2. The leaves of this plant: The fresh or dried green leaves of the sweet basil plant, prized for their distinctive, sweet, and slightly peppery aroma and flavor.

Examples

• Noun (Plant):
  • I planted sweet basil in my herb garden this spring.
  • The recipe calls for fresh sweet basil, not the dried variety.
• Noun (Leaves):
  • She garnished the tomato salad with chopped sweet basil.
  • The aroma of sweet basil filled the kitchen.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: In botanical or formal contexts, the full scientific name is used to specify this species, distinguishing it from other basil varieties like Thai basil () or holy basil ().
  • The study focused on the essential oils of Ocimum basilicum, commonly known as sweet basil.

Variants and Related Words

• Basil: A common shortened form for "sweet basil." In many culinary contexts, "basil" implicitly refers to sweet basil unless another type is specified.
  • The sauce needs more basil.
• Genovese Basil: A specific cultivar of sweet basil, famous for its use in traditional Italian pesto.
• Italian Basil: Another common name for the standard sweet basil variety used in Mediterranean cuisine.

Synonyms

• Common Basil: A direct synonym emphasizing it is the standard, most widespread type.
• Garden Basil: Highlights its common cultivation in home gardens.

Related Phrases

• Basil plant: Refers specifically to the living plant.
  • My basil plant is thriving on the windowsill.
• Fresh basil / Dried basil: Phrases specifying the state of the herb leaves.
  • For the best flavor, use fresh basil if possible.

Noun

1. leaves of the common basil; used fresh or dried
2. annual or perennial of tropical Asia having spikes of small white flowers and aromatic leaves; one of the most important culinary herbs; used in salads, casseroles, sauces and some liqueurs