ginger

noun

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gin·ger | \ ˈjin-jər

Definition of ginger

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes medicinally

(2) : the spice usually prepared by drying and grinding ginger

b : any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes especially : a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale) that supplies most commercial ginger — compare wild ginger

2 : pep the ginger to … work hard— Willa Cather

3a : a light reddish or reddish-brown color ginger hair

b chiefly British, sometimes offensive : a person with red hair : redhead sense 1 The Breda Redhead Days festival—which grew out of a photo shoot by Dutch artist Bart Rouwenhorst—now attracts five or six thousand gingers from around the world.— Bruce Ingram

ginger

verb

gingered; gingering\ ˈjinj-riŋ

, ˈjin-jə- \

Definition of ginger (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to make lively : pep up ginger up the tourist trade — The New York Times

Other Words from ginger Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing ginger Learn More About ginger

Examples of ginger in a Sentence

Noun The recipe calls for a teaspoon of ginger. a 60-year-old with the ginger to consider skydiving lessons

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Mixmaster Charles Griffin’s uses Pimm’s No. 1, lemonade, fruits and club soda, vs. the more familiar 7Up or ginger ale. — Michael Klein, Philly.com, 19 July 2017 Slice banana bread diagonally and place on top of ginger crème anglaise. — Nancy Miller, The Courier-Journal, 4 July 2017 Their line of cans range from a spicy ginger-beer and rum to a gin and tonic infused with crisp cucumber and grapefruit. — Hillary Eaton, Fortune, 17 June 2017 Their Tung Po pork belly arrives in the petite lidded pot it’s cooked in, kept warm over a candle that continues to thicken and caramelize the dark, ginger and soy sauce. — Providence Cicero, The Seattle Times, 15 June 2017 Raw, berry-sized Thai eggplants are snappy, slightly bitter surprises in an earthy green short rib curry, with extra layers of flavor from ginger-like finger root and basil. — Jodi Mailander Farrell, miamiherald, 29 June 2017 Signature menu items include a lobster and avocado salad, served with a miso-ginger dressing, and a strip steak. — Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, 26 June 2017 Preparation Process shallot, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, jalapeño, coriander, cumin, ½ cup cilantro, and 1 Tbsp. — Bon Appetit, 26 June 2017 The vegetable is salted and then usually rubbed with chili powder, garlic, ginger and scallions. — Anna Fifield, Washington Post, 22 June 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Mario Badescu’s Deodorant is formulated with cleansing sage, cucumber, and ginger root oils. — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 May 2022 The apple, cucumber, and ginger Fortitude blend provides a refreshing hit after a sweaty run. — The Editors, Outside Online, 14 May 2015 The product contains a soothing blend of rosemary leaf oil, chamomile oil, and ginger root extract to provide anti-inflammatory and relaxing effects. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Apr. 2022 The hyaluronic acid and squalane in the formula help keep the skin moisturized, alongside turmeric and ginger root oils to soothe and add radiance, respectively, according to cosmetic chemist Ginger King. — Gabi Thorne, Allure, 1 Mar. 2022 The spices, heirloom varieties sourced from North Oakland’s Brundo Spice Co., impart sweet heat and a bouquet of fenugreek, black cardamom and ginger into the dishes. — Soleil Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Mar. 2022 The restaurant’s berbere – a hot and earthy, red spice mix – comes imported from Ethiopia and includes among its many ingredients chile, garlic, turmeric, cardamom and ginger. — Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic, 13 Jan. 2022 One of our favorites includes the Wldkat Ginger + Kombucha Skin Tonic, which contains probiotic-rich kombucha to strengthen your skin's moisture barrier, and ginger root to treat your skin to a brightening blend of antioxidants. — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 5 Jan. 2022 And, more importantly, these cookies involve orange zest, coffee, cinnamon, almond extract, cardamom and ginger. — CNN, 20 Dec. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ginger.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Ginger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ginger. Accessed 24 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for ginger

ginger

noun

gin·ger | \ ˈjin-jər

Kids Definition of ginger

: a hot spice obtained from the root of a tropical plant and used especially to season foods

ginger

noun

gin·ger | \ ˈjin-jər

Medical Definition of ginger

1a : a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes in medicine

b : the spice usually prepared by drying and grinding ginger

2 : any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes especially : a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale) that supplies most of the ginger of commerce