cardamom

noun

car·​da·​mom ˈkär-də-məm How to pronounce cardamom (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Available both in the restaurant and the cafe at All Mart’s entrance, this icy dessert has a floral cardamom flavor and a slight crunch from its dusting of pistachios. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 If cloves are the on-ramp, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise and black pepper are the next exits. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 The 24-piece box comes with miniature jars of jams and spreads like fig and cardamom, caramel and dark chocolate, rhubarb and strawberry, apricot and honey, and more. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026 Following Omani tradition, an Arabic coffee lightly spiced with cardamom and rose water was prepared for guests. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cardamom

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cardamom was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

cardamine
cardamom
Cardan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cardamom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cardamom. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

cardamom

noun
car·​da·​mom ˈkärd-ə-məm, -ˌmäm How to pronounce cardamom (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on cardamom

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cardamom

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