ginseng

noun gin·seng \ ˈjin-ˌseŋ , -ˌsiŋ \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 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

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
In exchange for lifting the sanctions, China might rescind planned tariffs on products like pork and ginseng that were themselves responses to the US's planned tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, the Wall Street Journal reports.

— klint finley, WIRED, "Why Trump Wants to Save Jobs in China," 14 May 2018
That levy threatens to price American ginseng out of Chinese markets altogether.

— chuin-wei yap, WSJ, "Chinese Tariffs Take Root in American Ginseng," 25 Apr. 2018
China, which was left on the target list, retaliated by imposing tariffs on $3 billion in U.S. products, including apples, pork and ginseng.

— richard lardner, chicagotribune.com, "Trump's trade war with China risks jobs and profits in working-class areas," 24 Apr. 2018
Its flavors are then intricately layered with cardamom, ginseng, goji berries, Chinese dates, angelica root, ginger, and chilies.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "Warming up to Chinese hot pot at Little Sheep," 5 Apr. 2018
It's infused with brightening ingredients, like vitamin C and ginseng, which help fade dark spots and slough away dullness.

— devon abelman, Allure, "This Makeup Artist Swears a Drugstore Serum Made His Acne-Prone Skin Glow," 22 Feb. 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