1
: a perennial Eurasian herb (Foeniculum vulgare) that has clusters of small yellow flowers and aromatic leaves and seeds and includes several cultivated forms: such as
a
: one (F. vulgare var. dulce) grown especially for its edible leaves and seeds that are used as a seasoning
b
2
: the edible parts (such as the seeds and leaves) of fennel
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A perennial aromatic herb of the parsley family, fennel is native to southern Europe and Asia Minor and cultivated in the US, Britain, and temperate areas of Eurasia. The blanched shoots are eaten as a vegetable. The greenish brown to yellowish brown oblong-oval seeds smell and taste similar to anise. The seeds and extracted oil are used for scenting soaps and perfumes and for flavoring candies, liqueurs, medicines, and foods, particularly pastries, sweet pickles, and fish.
Examples of fennel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even vigorous watermelons can be affected by these compounds and may produce smaller harvests or stop growing if fennel plants are around.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
This alcohol-free, fluoride-free and preservative-free formula is infused with the natural goodness of peppermint, spearmint, cardamom, fennel, clove, oregano and tea tree oils.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
In a quick pivot, Jen Nelson in Marketing vision-boarded a list of ingredients, with fennel as an action point, and there’s even some dialoguing about implementing a focaccia station.
—Will Eno, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
Black swallowtail butterfly larvae feed on parsley plants, as well as dill, fennel, and other close relatives.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 May 2025
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Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
This alcohol-free, fluoride-free and preservative-free formula is infused with the natural goodness of peppermint, spearmint, cardamom, fennel, clove, oregano and tea tree oils.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
In a quick pivot, Jen Nelson in Marketing vision-boarded a list of ingredients, with fennel as an action point, and there’s even some dialoguing about implementing a focaccia station.
—Will Eno, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
Black swallowtail butterfly larvae feed on parsley plants, as well as dill, fennel, and other close relatives.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fennel
Cite this Entry
“Fennel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fennel. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fennel
noun
fen·nel
ˈfen-ᵊl 
: a garden plant related to the carrot that is grown for its fragrant seeds and needle-shaped leaflets
Medical Definition
fennel
noun
fen·nel
ˈfen-ᵊl
: a perennial European herb (Foeniculum vulgare) of the carrot family (Umbelliferae) introduced into North America and cultivated for its aromatic seeds and its foliage
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