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

Add extra cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025

Sprinkle with cinnamon, cardamom and salt; toss to combine. —Faye Levy, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025

About a year and a half ago, the siblings decided to start their own coffee cart, a mobile kiosk that serves beverages like strawberry matcha and cinnamon cardamom lattes. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025

Also getting good marks is Jasmine, whose pistachio cake, filled with pistachio mousse and topped with a cardamom cake, consists of just three green layers stacked on top of each other. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025

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