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

• 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

Give the gift of 12 days of chile crisp and chile crisp-adjacent surprises with this advent calendar from one of our favorite spicy condiment brands. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025

Chipotle has made similar attempts with limited-time offers of novelty condiments, with some success. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025

While some condiments last for months or even years before opening, after opening, exposure to air, moisture, and contaminated utensils can speed up spoilage. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025

Don’t forget to check the expiration dates on your food and condiments. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 19 Oct. 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