noun
valerian
vuh-LEER-reern
noun
1
A flowering plant whose root is used in herbal medicine, often as a natural sleep aid or calming remedy.
"She took a valerian supplement to help her sleep."
"Valerian tea has a strong, earthy smell that not everyone likes."
How to Use Valerian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA plant whose root is used as a natural remedy for anxiety and sleep problems.
Common pairings
valerian root
valerian tea
valerian supplement
Word Forms
valerians plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “valerian”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She took a _____ supplement to help her sleep.
Etymology
From Old French valeriane or Medieval Latin valeriana, likely linked to Latin valere ("to be strong") or the Roman family name Valerius.