gingerbread

noun

gin·​ger·​bread ˈjin-jər-ˌbred How to pronounce gingerbread (audio)
Synonyms of gingerbreadnext
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 adjective
gingerbready adjective

Examples of gingerbread in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Noah junior had settled the lighter skin, pencil-line lips, and delicately bridged nose of his father, while Jesse's nose was soft as gingerbread, his eyes bulgy, his head big, and too much of his lower lip turned over to hope he'd ever be taken for a black aristocrat. Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026 In addition to tubing and hikes, winter outdoor activities include ​​cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on groomed trails, ice skating in the open-air pavilion, and dozens of indoor activities—from lectures and tours to seasonal activities like gingerbread house making, caroling, and more. Katie Mathews, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2026 Erick Rocha leads the pastry program, crafting conchas filled with yuzu or corn husk curds, hazelnut-praline-chocolate chip cookies, cajeta brioche, and marranitos, Mexican gingerbread cookies charmingly shaped like pigs, served with dark, single-origin Oaxacan coffee. Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026 Even those who aren’t the biggest fans of gingerbread will love this chocolate version this holiday season. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gingerbread

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gingerbread was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Gingerbread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gingerbread. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

gingerbread

noun
gin·​ger·​bread ˈjin-jər-ˌbred How to pronounce gingerbread (audio)
1
: a cake made with molasses and flavored with ginger
2
: showy ornamentation especially in architecture
gingerbread adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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