cardamom

noun

car·​da·​mom ˈkär-də-məm 

-ˌmäm

: the aromatic capsular fruit of an Indian herb (Elettaria cardamomum) of the ginger family with seeds used as a spice and in medicine

also : this plant

Examples of cardamom in a Sentence

a tablespoon of ground cardamom

Recent Examples on the Web

Into a mortar and pestle, toss some cardamom seeds, cumin, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil; mash to a paste and coat the squash. —Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

What to drink: Bedouin Coffee, like a spiced-up espresso martini with mezcal, rum and cardamom cream. —Anna Spiegel, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024

Notes of sweet, spicy cardamom mix with woody sandalwood and cedarwood, while vetiver and silk musk add a sultry touch. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024

Touches of clove, black pepper, and cardamom open up into rose, peony, and geranium. —Megan Wahn, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin cardamomum, from Greek kardamōmon, blend of kardamon peppergrass and amōmon, an Indian spice plant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cardamom

noun

car·​da·​mom ˈkärd-ə-məm, -ˌmäm 

: the aromatic capsular fruit of an Indian herb (Elettaria cardamomum) of the ginger family with seeds used as a spice and in medicine

also : this plant