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

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

Word History

First Known Use

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

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