gingerbread

noun

gin·​ger·​bread ˈjin-jər-ˌbred 

1

: a cake whose ingredients include molasses and ginger

2

[from the fancy shapes and gilding formerly often applied to gingerbread] : lavish or superfluous ornament especially in architecture

gingerbread adjective

gingerbreaded

ˈjin-jər-ˌbre-dəd 

adjective

gingerbready

ˈjin-jər-ˌbre-dē 

adjective

Examples of gingerbread in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Brittany then shared more private family moments on the big day, showing her little ones on Christmas morning in matching green pajamas, which featured gingerbread and candy canes. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025

The hotel was also applauded for its abundance of festive activities including gingerbread decorating, ice tubing, ice skating, and its live entertainment options. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Dec. 2025

Some creators have repurposed grocery store bags and cardboard boxes into paper stars and gingerbread houses. —Rachel Hale, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025

The sugar and refined flour in most gingerbread can spike blood sugar and may cause bloating for some people. —Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gingerbread

• gingerbread man

Rhymes for gingerbread

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead
• loggerhead

Kids Definition

gingerbread

noun

gin·​ger·​bread ˈjin-jər-ˌbred 

1

: a cake made with molasses and flavored with ginger

2

: showy ornamentation especially in architecture

gingerbread adjective