mustard

noun mus·tard \ ˈmə-stərd \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Definition of mustard

1 a : a pungent yellow condiment consisting of the pulverized seeds of various mustard plants (such as Sinapis alba, Brassica juncea, and B. nigra) either dry or made into a paste or sauce (as by mixing with water or vinegar) and sometimes adulterated with other substances (such as turmeric) or mixed with spices

b : the seed of a mustard plant used as a spice and in medicine as a stimulant and diuretic, an emetic, or a counterirritant

c slang : zest

2 : any of several herbs (genera Brassica and Sinapis of the family Brassicaceae synonym Cruciferae, the mustard family) with lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and linear beaked pods

3 : a dark to moderate yellow

—

mustardy

play \-stər-dē\ adjective

See mustard defined for English-language learners

See mustard defined for kids

Examples of mustard in a Sentence

Would you like some mustard on your hot dog?

Recent Examples of mustard from the Web

In an aluminum pan, coat the meat with mustard and rub.

— Fox News, "John McLemore's Independence Day cookout," 1 July 2018
Remove from heat, stir in mustard and butter, and let cool.

— carol deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Sweet summer on a plate: Fruits can enhance savory dishes, too," 26 June 2018
On Monday, the company said the name change is restricted to IHOP’s flagship restaurant in Hollywood, Calif., where the caddies that normally contain pancake syrup will be filled with mustard and ketchup.

— james r. hagerty, WSJ, "Some People Don’t Know What the P Means in IHOP, Let Alone the I, H and O," 11 June 2018
These built anticipation for the next course, where Anderson layered shaved geoduck marinated in seaweed and shallots with caramelized duck cream, translucent clam jelly, olive oil and a cap of mustard and radish flowers.

— michael bauer, San Francisco Chronicle, "Why the restaurant Coi won’t be on this year’s Top 100 Restaurants list," 17 Apr. 2018
It's Independence Day in the US, and much of our staff is at work near a grill with ketchup and mustard handy instead of office supplies.

— lee hutchinson, Ars Technica, "The Internet-demanded, partially scientific testing of Ultra-Ever Dry (in HD!)," 4 July 2018
But their snappy natural-casing franks topped with onions, mustard and chili-like Coney sauce are a decidedly Midwestern creation.

— dominic armato, azcentral, "10 iconic American foods for Fourth of July and the best places to get them in Phoenix," 3 July 2018
The line includes two mustards (Deli Style Picnic Mustard and Spicy Brown Firecracker Mustard) and ketchup called Classic Boardwalk Coney Sauce.

— greg morago, Houston Chronicle, "Joey Chestnut debuts new condiment line," 2 July 2018
On the other side of the spectrum is the dry, overcooked burger, accompanied by dry bread, a saliva-vacuuming experience in which ketchup and mustard are expected to carry entirely too much weight.

— dan nosowitz, GQ, "Skip the Burger, Eat the Patty Melt," 28 June 2018

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

Illustration of mustard

Origin and Etymology of mustard

Middle English, from Anglo-French mustarde, from must must, from Latin mustum

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

MUSTARD Defined for English Language Learners

mustard

noun

Definition of mustard for English Language Learners

: a thick and spicy yellow or brownish-yellow sauce that is usually eaten with meat
: a plant with yellow flowers, leaves that can be used for food, and seeds that are used in making mustard
: a brownish-yellow color

MUSTARD Defined for Kids

mustard

noun mus·tard \ ˈmə-stərd \

Definition of mustard for Students

: a sharp-tasting yellow powder that is prepared from the seeds of a plant related to the cabbage and is used especially as a seasoning for foods

Medical Dictionary

mustard

noun mus·tard \ ˈməs-tərd \

medical Definition of mustard

1 : a pungent yellow condiment consisting of the pulverized seeds of the black mustard or sometimes the white mustard either dry or made into a paste and serving as a stimulant and diuretic or in large doses as an emetic and as a counterirritant when applied to the skin as a poultice

2 : any of several herbs (genus Brassica of the family Cruciferae, the mustard family) with lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and linear beaked pods — see black mustard 1, white mustard

3 a : mustard gas

b : nitrogen mustard