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

In this version, JJ and his siblings help their family bake gingerbread houses and decorate the Christmas tree while drinking hot cocoa together. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 28 Nov. 2025

More than 850 trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses are on display during the event. —Janay Reece, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025

JoJo’s also offers Holly Jolly mixology classes and workshops devoted to ornament painting, wreath-making and gingerbread houses. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 28 Nov. 2025

Elves, often employee’s children, hand out gingerbread cookies to everyone leaving the restaurant and offer to take pictures for guests. —Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025

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