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

Folks here encourage you to taste the meat itself before adding your preferred condiment. —Matt Moore, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026

Seagrapes, the open-air restaurant flanking the main pool, impressed with a bright shrimp ceviche and a crave-worthy smashburger dressed in Rosado’s take on Mayochup, the island’s beloved condiment. —Amber Kallor, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

Sweeteners and Condiments Most people regularly use sweeteners, such as sugar and honey, and condiments, such as salad dressing and mayonnaise. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 Jan. 2026

Sodium—found in table salt and many condiments—plays a significant role in conditions like kidney disease, high blood pressure, and heart problems. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 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