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 of condiment

• 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

Cody Peeler, standing behind a rice cooker and hot plate and next to trays of condiments, worried the aroma would offend the cafe’s clientele. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026

Use it to dress a salad, marinate protein, or serve on the side of vegetables as an extra condiment that pairs well with your minty beverages. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026

One easy way to serve these cuties is to slice the tenderloins on a large cutting board, set out fresh rolls and homemade condiments, and then let guests build their own sandwiches. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026

It’s most often used as a condiment added to things like soups and sandwiches. —Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2026

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