ginseng

noun

gin·​seng ˈjin-ˌseŋ  -ˌsiŋ 

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

Illustration of ginseng

• 1 root
• 2 leaves and flowers

Examples of ginseng in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, the brand boosts the powers of ginseng—known for its inflammation reducing and regenerative properties—via ginseng actives (dubbed Ginsenomics) and peptides to improve skin’s elasticity and firmness. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 May 2025

The film opens with Fei-hung getting into a fight all across (and under) a train with a military officer who has mistaken Fei-hung's box of ginseng for his own box containing the Imperial Seal. —ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025

There was ginseng, lion’s mane mushroom and the antioxidant liposomal glutathione, too. —Lindsay Gellman, New York Times, 21 May 2025

This face cream has a shimmery base to give major glow and is spiked with Korean white ginseng, hyaluronic acid and mandarin extract to brighten from within, plus gently exfoliate and hydrate too. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) rénshēn

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for ginseng

• cheng
• sheng

Kids Definition

ginseng

noun

gin·​seng ˈjin-ˌsaŋ 

-ˌseŋ,

-(ˌ)siŋ

1

: a Chinese herb with small greenish flowers and red berries

also : a closely related herb of North America

2

: the forked fragrant root of the ginseng used especially as a medicine in China

Medical Definition

ginseng

noun

gin·​seng ˈjin-ˌseŋ  -ˌsaŋ  -(ˌ)siŋ 

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