ginseng

noun gin·seng \ ˈjin-ˌseŋ , -ˌsiŋ \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Definition of ginseng

1 a : a Chinese perennial herb (Panax ginseng synonym P. schinseng of the family Araliaceae, the ginseng family) having five leaflets on each leaf, scarlet berries, and an aromatic root used in herbal medicine especially in eastern Asia

b : any of several plants related to ginseng; especially : a North American herb (P. quinquefolius)

2 : the root of a ginseng

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Recent Examples of ginseng from the Web

China's consumption of U.S. ginseng grew more than 45 percent from 2016 to 2017, totaling almost $23 million worth.

— max bayer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "As China prepares new tariffs, Wisconsin ginseng farmers already feeling the effects," 9 July 2018
Wisconsin produces more than 90% of America’s ginseng, and 95% of that comes from Marathon County.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Trump Rides a Harley—to Europe," 25 June 2018
Wisconsin products targeted for retaliatory tariffs by the European Union, Mexico and China include Harley-Davidsons, cranberries, ginseng and apples.

— New York Times, "Trump’s Trade War Could Shut Cheesemakers Out of Foreign Markets," 24 June 2018
Permits are needed to collect wild ginseng in the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests during a two-week season from Sept. 1 to Sept. 15.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Lottery set for 'green gold' in NC hills," 29 May 2018
Ginseng Somewhat trickier to grow than the other herbs on this list, ginseng likes rich, moist, cool soils in part shade.

— Sunset, "Top 10 Medicinal Plants You Can Grow at Home," 22 Jan. 2018
But Rubin also marketed a health drink made with bee pollen, ginseng, and kelp.

— james sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "Whatever happened to those radical boomer activists from the ’60s and ’70s?," 6 June 2018
And some supplements, such as garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and Vitamin E may increase the risk of excess bleeding during and after surgery.

— ronald s. litman, Philly.com, "New study on supplemental vitamins proves they're useless and a waste of money," 5 June 2018
Harley-Davidson motorcycles, dairy products, ginseng, cranberries and other Wisconsin goods are likely to feel the sting of retaliation from steep tariffs on foreign metals announced Thursday by the White House.

— rick barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin bracing for retaliation tariffs on Harley-Davidson and agricultural products," 31 May 2018

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

Illustration of ginseng

Origin and Etymology of ginseng

Chinese (Beijing) rénshēn

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1654

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

GINSENG Defined for English Language Learners

ginseng

noun

Definition of ginseng for English Language Learners

: a Chinese herb that is used as a medicine

Medical Dictionary

ginseng

noun gin·seng \ ˈjin-ˌseŋ , -ˌsaŋ , -(ˌ)siŋ \

medical Definition of ginseng

1 a : a Chinese perennial herb (Panax ginseng synonym P. schinseng of the family Araliaceae, the ginseng family) having 5-foliolate leaves, scarlet berries, and an aromatic root valued especially locally as a medicine

b : any of several plants (especially genus Panax) related to or used as substitutes for the Chinese ginseng; especially : a North American woodland herb (P. quinquefolius)

2 : the aromatic root of a ginseng that is used in herbal medicine especially in eastern Asia