ginseng

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noun gin·seng \ ˈjin-ˌseŋ , -ˌsiŋ \

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

More: Missing hiker found alive in Himalayas after 47 days, survived on salt and water Dyer told authorities the pair were in the park hunting for ginseng, Kloster said.

— travis dorman, USA TODAY, "Alone and lost in the Smokies: Teen survives 11 days," 23 Aug. 2017
Part of Origins’ GinZing collection (a line of products created to energize, refresh and restore radiance), the lash-boosting mascara is formulated with an eye-opening combination of ginseng, caffeine and Carnauba Palm.

— courtney ortega, star-telegram, "Is ginseng the key to getting long, beautiful lashes?," 14 July 2017
The state ranks second in the nation for exports of cheese and whey, and first for exports of cranberries, sweet corn, ginseng, bovine genetics and raw fur skins.

— rick barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "U.S. farmers fear trade war if Trump penalizes imports of steel, aluminum," 11 July 2017
Still, rangers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park seize 500 to 1,000 poached ginseng roots a year, officials say.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "‘Green gold’ grows in the NC hills. But you’ll need a permit, and luck, to reap it.," 20 June 2017
The soup dumplings come in five different shades, each corresponding to ingredients worked into the dough: squid ink (black), ginseng (green), sweet-and-sour (pink), cheese (yellow) and traditional (white).

— providence cicero, The Seattle Times, "Peony Kitchen: Chinese food presented with panache in Bellevue," 15 June 2017
Red ginseng and artichoke tea was packed in cardboard boxes.

— sandy ong, The Atlantic, "The Rich Men Who Drink Rhino Horns," 7 June 2017
Other firms trying to tap into China’s rising class of quality-conscious consumers were also upbeat, as buyers at the sprawling fair sampled products ranging from Malaysian durian ice cream to New Zealand goat’s milk and Korean ginseng chicken soup.

— Bloomberg.com, "$700 Cuckoo Clocks Show China Consumers' Growing Money Power," 10 May 2017
Ashwagandha, also called Indian ginseng, is sweet, but also bitter, and deeply earthy.

— rachel sugar, Bon Appetit, "A Spring Fish Recipe With a Healing Herb," 8 May 2017

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.

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Origin and Etymology of ginseng

Chinese (Beijing) rénshēn

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First Known Use: 1654

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GINSENG Defined for English Language Learners

ginseng

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noun

Definition of ginseng for English Language Learners

: a Chinese herb that is used as a medicine

Medical Dictionary

ginseng

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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

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See words that rhyme with ginseng Spanish Central: Translation of ginseng Nglish: Translation of ginseng for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ginseng

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Definition of ginseng for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

ginseng

medical Definition of ginseng

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