marshmallow

noun

marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌme-lō 

-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

ˈmärsh-ˌme-lə-wē 

-ˌma-

adjective

Examples of marshmallow in a Sentence

We toasted marshmallows over the fire.

Recent Examples on the Web

The sweet treat includes bubble gum and blue raspberry candy popcorn, M&M’s, mini marshmallows, and a white chocolate drizzle. —Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 13 June 2025

Campfire S’mores balances notes of toasted marshmallow, melted chocolate, and smoky firewood—which capture that cozy and nostalgic summer feeling. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025

Bonbon The Swedish candy shop will open just off Main Street in Sag Harbor, surely delighting kids—and parents—of all ages with their sour gummy candies and marshmallows. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 23 May 2025

The staff had also prepared a build-your-own hot chocolate kit, complete with a blowtorch for toasting the pillowy marshmallows—proof the Karvellas sisters have thought of everything. —Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for marshmallow

• morello
• othello
• schoolfellow
• cello
• fellow
• jello
• mellow
• melo
• velo
• portobello
• violoncello

Kids Definition

marshmallow

noun

marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌmel-ō 

-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

marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌmel-ō, -ˌmel-ə(-w), -ˌmal- 

: 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