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

This condiment is a summer staple, from topping burgers and hot dogs as a relish to serving alongside sandwiches, the jar won’t last long. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 July 2026

Utensils are prohibited and condiments are seldom used, but water and other non-alcoholic drinks are available to speed up digestion. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Rowland’s sense of playfulness is also more evident in the artwork chosen for the space (subjects include a spa bathrobe in the common area and a weenie roast above the coffee condiments). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026

Among World Cup tourists, the condiment has become the ultimate American export. — Noah White, Washington Post, 30 June 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