mustard

noun

mus·tard | \ ˈmə-stərd

Definition of mustard

1a : 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

Other Words from mustard Example Sentences Learn More about mustard

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of mustard in a Sentence

Would you like some mustard on your hot dog?

Recent Examples on the Web

Coat 1 side of each slice of bread with an even layer of 1/2 of the butter and the mustard. — Bill St. John, The Denver Post, "Stone fruits: Everything you need to know," 7 Aug. 2019 In a bowl stir the mayonnaise with the mustard and lemon juice. — Lisa Yockelson, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipe: Fill these golden cheese biscuits with turkey, mustard-mayo, chutney, and arugula," 5 Aug. 2019 Being a superior part of an expensive system doesn't cut the mustard for 1.6 million teachers. — Scott Burns, Dallas News, "Let's look at the real-world consequences of teacher pension fund fees," 7 July 2019 Hjermstad pointed out the mustard, rosemary and poppy plants growing there along with plants growing in a fire forest and in vegetable beds. — Ramona Sentinel, "AnomaR guests create their own works of art," 1 July 2019 Stadium’s label lists vinegar, water, #1 mustard seed, salt, and red pepper. — Brenda Cain, cleveland.com, "Stadium Mustard honored for 50th year by National Mustard Museum on, what else, National Mustard Day," 3 Aug. 2019 Any Catholic with half a brain and faith the size of a mustard seed should believe quite firmly that the Church is the only healthy place for her soul. — Declan Leary, National Review, "What America Magazine Gets Wrong about the Mass," 24 July 2019 In a 2-quart stainless steel saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, mustard seeds and peppercorns. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Quick pickling gives fresh veggies and fruit a tangy crunch in a day or less," 16 July 2019 The $29 sea bass moistened with a sauce including yellow mustard seeds is also very good, if not the same eye candy. — Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, "Commonwealth Indian is dressed to thrill in Rockville," 26 June 2019

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about mustard

Dictionary Entries near mustard

Statistics for mustard

Last Updated

22 Aug 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for mustard

The first known use of mustard was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for mustard

mustard

noun

English Language Learners Definition of mustard

: 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

See the full definition for mustard in the English Language Learners Dictionary

mustard

noun

mus·tard | \ ˈmə-stərd

Kids Definition of mustard

: 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

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 sense 1, white mustard

3a : mustard gas

b : nitrogen mustard