marshmallow

noun marsh·mal·low \ ˈmärsh-ˌme-lō , -ˌma- \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of marshmallow

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

play \-ˌme-lə-wē, -ˌma-\ adjective

See marshmallow defined for English-language learners

See marshmallow defined for kids

Examples of marshmallow in a Sentence

We toasted marshmallows over the fire.

Recent Examples of marshmallow from the Web

Well, first of all, homemade Peeps taste better — more like an actual marshmallow, and less like a packing peanut that fell into a vat of syrup and nuclear waste.

— madeleine aggeler, The Cut, "Did You Know You Can Make Your Own Peeps?," 30 Mar. 2018
Belt One, the first-floor marshmallow-moving sidewalk that produces most of the company's 5.5 million Peeps per day, stood idle.

— damian paletta, courant.com, "In land of Peeps, ﬁght threatens US pension plans," 30 Mar. 2018
With all due respect to diner breakfasts and box mixes, the average pancake is about as satisfying as a bag of marshmallows.

— chris morocco, Bon Appetit, "Whole Grain Pancakes with Blackberries," 26 Mar. 2018
The grocery brand's newest products feature a variety of blooming flavor combinations: lemon lavender granola, orange blossom shortbread cookies, blackberry rose lemonade, dark chocolate violet marshmallows, and more.

— refinery29.com, "Stick It To The Snow With The Latest Spring Snacks From Whole Foods," 21 Mar. 2018
The Will & Grace Shake, a reference to the popular television series that includes cinnamon, marshmallow, frozen custard, fudge, whipped cream and cinnamon sugar.

— zlati meyer, USA TODAY, "McDonald's brings back the Shamrock Shake -- but not the chocolate ones," 21 Feb. 2018
Chocolate also can become less healthy because of fats, sugars and goodies (caramel, marshmallows, sprinkles and the like) often added to many chocolate bars, candies and drinks.

— linda searing, Washington Post, "The Big Number: $22 billion a year on chocolate. Is that healthy?," 10 Feb. 2018
Since 2008, the yellow hourglass marshmallow has been included in every box—but come this spring, it will officially be retired.

— jessica fecteau, PEOPLE.com, "Lucky Charms Is Retiring This Marshmallow in the Spring," 8 Feb. 2018
The brand also introduced a marshmallow mask that uses citrus oils to brighten skin and fade discoloration.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "This Major Beauty Brand Overhauled Its Look to Be Millennial-Friendly," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'marshmallow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of marshmallow

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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MARSHMALLOW Defined for English Language Learners

marshmallow

noun

Definition of marshmallow for English Language Learners

: a soft, white, sweet food made of sugar and eggs

MARSHMALLOW Defined for Kids

marshmallow

noun marsh·mal·low \ ˈmärsh-ˌme-lō , -ˌma- \

Definition of marshmallow for Students

: a soft spongy sweet food made from corn syrup, sugar, and gelatin

Medical Dictionary

marshmallow

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

medical Definition of marshmallow

: 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 2