ointment

noun

oint·​ment ˈȯint-mənt How to pronounce ointment (audio)
Synonyms of ointmentnext
: a salve or unguent for application to the skin
see also:
fly in the ointment

Examples of ointment in a Sentence

You should put some ointment on that cut.
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.
Billionaire Mark Cuban has spent the last five years trying to make generic drugs like chemotherapy and antifungal ointment cheaper for Americans. — Jason Mast, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026 The standard treatment is a prescription ultrapotent corticosteroid ointment, commonly clobetasol. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 20 Oct. 2026 Eye gels or ointments can provide longer-lasting moisture, especially at night. — Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026 Over-the-counter creams, ointments or suppositories can soothe itching and swelling overnight. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ointment

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, alteration of oynement, from Anglo-French uignement, oignement, ultimately from Latin unguentum, from unguere to anoint; akin to Old High German ancho butter, Sanskrit anakti he salves

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ointment was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing ointment

Rhymes for ointment

See All Rhymes for ointment

Browse Nearby Words

oint
ointment
Oise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ointment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ointment. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

ointment

noun
oint·​ment ˈȯint-mənt How to pronounce ointment (audio)
: a semisolid greasy medicine for use on the skin

Medical Definition

ointment

noun
oint·​ment ˈȯint-mənt How to pronounce ointment (audio)
: a salve or unguent for application to the skin
specifically : a semisolid medicinal preparation usually having a base of fatty or greasy material

More from Merriam-Webster on ointment

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ointment

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ointment

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All