condiment

noun

con·​di·​ment ˈkän-də-mənt 

plural condiments

: something (such as a seasoning, sauce, garnish, or topping) that is added to food usually after the food is prepared and that enhances or adds to its flavor

Mustard is a top-selling condiment, and although ketchup and mayonnaise consistently outrank it in popularity worldwide, more than 700 million pounds of mustard are sold every year …

—Melissa St. Aude

Then he presents … a bowl of creamy potatoes and a tray of six condiments, including pesto, horseradish, sea salt, red pepper sauce, raisin sauce and garlicky mayonnaise.

—Jerry Shriver

condimental

ˌkän-də-ˈmen-tᵊl 

adjective

Synonyms of condiment

• flavoring
• seasoning
• sauce
• spice
• herb

Examples of condiment in a Sentence

the cafeteria's self-serve table has a full array of condiments

Recent Examples on the Web

Said to trace its roots all the way back to the 1860s and a seaside fish and chips shop in Lancashire, England, the chip butty can be doused with optional condiments ranging from ketchup and malt vinegar to mayonnaise. —Terry Ward, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025

It’s most often used as a condiment added to things like soups and sandwiches. —Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 14 Nov. 2025

Diets higher in sugar and artificial sweeteners were most linked to higher rates of adenomas, followed by diets high in sauces, spreads and condiments. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 13 Nov. 2025

As a condiment or side dish, sauerkraut is generally good for you. —Amanda Doyle, Health, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin condimentum, from condire to season

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

condiment

noun

con·​di·​ment ˈkän-də-mənt 

: something used to give food a good taste

especially : a tangy seasoning

Medical Definition

condiment

noun

con·​di·​ment ˈkän-də-mənt 

: something used to enhance the flavor of food

especially : a pungent seasoning

condimental

ˌkän-də-ˈment-ᵊl 

adjective