gingerbread

noun

gin·​ger·​bread ˈjin-jər-ˌbred 

1

: a cake whose ingredients include molasses and ginger

2

[from the fancy shapes and gilding formerly often applied to gingerbread] : lavish or superfluous ornament especially in architecture

gingerbread adjective

gingerbreaded

ˈjin-jər-ˌbre-dəd 

adjective

gingerbready

ˈjin-jər-ˌbre-dē 

adjective

Examples of gingerbread in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Each hot chocolate mix is packaged in its own decorative box with flavors like peppermint swirl, gingerbread, s’mores, chocolate cherry, and more to finish every day with a cheerful sweet treat. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026

The only way to really save the bakery is to have a life-size gingerbread house competition. — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Shaped like a trio of tiny gingerbread houses in small, medium, and tall sizes, this ceramic candleholder set brings a classic storybook feel to any fireplace mantel. — Sarah Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2026

Or get in the holiday spirit with a Lego princess calendar that includes a cozy campfire, roaring fireplace, and a delectable-looking gingerbread castle. — Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gingerbread

• gingerbread man

Rhymes for gingerbread

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead
• loggerhead

Kids Definition

gingerbread

noun

gin·​ger·​bread ˈjin-jər-ˌbred 

1

: a cake made with molasses and flavored with ginger

2

: showy ornamentation especially in architecture

gingerbread adjective