cardamom

noun

car·​da·​mom ˈkär-də-məm 

-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

Keep their hands moisturized, unbothered, and thriving through the rest of winter with Nonfiction's hand cream, which features shea butter, sweet almond, and vitamin E, and comes laced with pleasant cardamom and bergamot scent. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026

Customers can expect the brand's beloved scones, cardamom buns, and focaccia on the menu; The San Francisco Standard reports that owner Marisa Williams also plans to start selling guava tarts and apple rhubarb puffs. —Monica Garske, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026

Today, Yemen’s coffee tradition is still closely tied to notions of hospitality, social connection, and ceremony, with beverages often prepared with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, or ginger. —Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 19 Jan. 2026

This oriental floral fragrance, created by perfumer Suzy Le Helley, combines notes of overripe guava, cardamom, rose and grey amber, resulting in a scent that is bold, expressive and instantly recognizable. —Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026

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

Medical Definition

cardamom

noun

car·​da·​mom ˈkärd-ə-məm, -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