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

With a marshmallow-soft feel and a relaxed fit, it’s made for slow mornings, early movie nights, and any excuse to stay in. —Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025

Whether your elf is perched in a chandelier, buried in a bowl of marshmallows or pulling off a mischievous stunt, snap a photo and share it with us. —Sean Oates, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025

For those who haven't tried them, these cinnamon rolls are infused with everything that makes hot cocoa a real treat, with warming chocolate flavors and a gooey marshmallow icing to top it all off. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2025

With roast turkey nestled against marshmallows and brussels sprouts migrating into pools of mac and cheese and cranberry sauce, precise pairings are moot. —Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for marshmallow

• morello
• othello
• schoolfellow
• cello
• fellow
• jello
• mellow
• melo
• velo
• portobello
• violoncello

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- 

variants or marsh mallow

: 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