marshmallow

noun

marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌme-lō How to pronounce marshmallow (audio)
-ˌma-
1
usually marsh mallow : a pink-flowered European perennial herb (Althaea officinalis) of the mallow family that is naturalized in the eastern U.S. and has flowers, leaves, and roots used in herbal remedies
2
: a sweet white confection usually in the form of a spread or small spongy cylindrical pieces now usually made from corn syrup, sugar, albumen, and gelatin but formerly from the marshmallow's root
also : one of these spongy pieces
toasted marshmallows on sticks over a campfire
marshmallowy adjective

Examples of marshmallow in a Sentence

We toasted marshmallows over the fire.
Recent Examples on the Web Flavors include Fruity Pebbles, cotton candy, cookies n’ cream, strawberry frosted with marshmallows, and chocolate frosted with chocolate candies. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023 Find it on Amazon Snuggle in a Cozy Marshmallow Blanket Indulge in the ultimate comfort with a marshmallow blanket. Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023 There are also areas to toast marshmallows over a fire, sip on hot chocolate and taste other seasonal drinks along the path. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023 The set comes with a roasting chimney, grill top, and skewers, plus a ceramic tray for organizing graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023 Users are already putting their own personal spin on them, from trays featuring hot chocolate mixes, marshmallows, and chocolate straws to sweet-and-savory boards that feature fruits and seasonal cheese blends. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2023 Silky sweet potatoes and gooey marshmallows are begging for a crisp component. Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appétit, 4 Nov. 2023 Yesterday, the Academy Award nominee took a stroll in a pair of white Givenchy marshmallow sandals. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2023 German's sweet chocolate, broken into small pieces 2 cups marshmallow cream Pinch of salt 2 Tbsp. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'marshmallow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of marshmallow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near marshmallow

Cite this Entry

“Marshmallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marshmallow. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

marshmallow

noun
marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌmel-ō How to pronounce marshmallow (audio)
-ˌmal-
1
: a pink-flowered herb related to the mallows that has a root sometimes used in sweets and in medicine
2
: a soft spongy sweet formerly made from the root of the marshmallow but now usually prepared from corn syrup, sugar, albumen, and gelatin

Medical Definition

marshmallow

noun
: a European perennial herb of the genus Althaea (A. officinalis) naturalized in the eastern United States whose pink flowers, velvety leaves, and mucilaginous root are used in herbal medicine and whose root was formerly used in confectionary see althaea sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on marshmallow

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