marshmallow

noun

marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌme-lō 

-ˌma-

1

usually marsh mallow : a pink-flowered European perennial herb (Althaea officinalis) of the mallow family that is naturalized in the eastern U.S. and has flowers, leaves, and roots used in herbal remedies

2

: a sweet white confection usually in the form of a spread or small spongy cylindrical pieces now usually made from corn syrup, sugar, albumen, and gelatin but formerly from the marshmallow's root

also : one of these spongy pieces

toasted marshmallows on sticks over a campfire

marshmallowy

ˈmärsh-ˌme-lə-wē 

-ˌma-

adjective

Examples of marshmallow in a Sentence

We toasted marshmallows over the fire.

Recent Examples on the Web

There's also an order of marshmallow potion macchiato with 18 pumps of marshmallow ube swirl, two shots of vanilla flavoring, four shots of hazelnut, four shots of blueberry, four shots of coconut, 12 teaspoons of sugar and skim milk. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024

There’s also a Christmas tree maze and a new tree house this year, in addition to marshmallow toasting by the firepits. —Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024

Boar's Head Sweet Slice Boneless Ham, sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole, marshmallow delight. —Jenny Porter Tilley, The Courier-Journal, 25 Nov. 2024

The walking tour includes unlimited rides, marshmallow roasting and other activities. —Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

marshmallow

noun

marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌmel-ō 

-ˌmal-

1

: a pink-flowered herb related to the mallows that has a root sometimes used in sweets and in medicine

2

: a soft spongy sweet formerly made from the root of the marshmallow but now usually prepared from corn syrup, sugar, albumen, and gelatin

Medical Definition

marshmallow

noun

marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌmel-ō, -ˌmel-ə(-w), -ˌmal- 

: a European perennial herb of the genus Althaea (A. officinalis) naturalized in the eastern United States whose pink flowers, velvety leaves, and mucilaginous root are used in herbal medicine and whose root was formerly used in confectionary see althaea sense 2