mustard

noun

mus·​tard ˈmə-stərd How to pronounce mustard (audio)
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 adjective

Illustration of mustard

Illustration of mustard
  • mustard 2

Examples of mustard in a Sentence

Would you like some mustard on your hot dog?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sandwiches are named with references to art, such as the Van Gogh made with roast beef, fresh dill, Havarti cheese, sprouts and deli mustard on pumpernickel bread; or the hot Picasso made with savory meatballs, provolone cheese and Mama Cosenza’s original Italian sauce on an 8-inch baguette. Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025 The company features iconic product names such as Heinz ketchup, Grey Poupon mustard, and a portfolio of hot sauces, dressings, and condiments. Joe Cornell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Their foliage adds a lush flair to the garden and sliced cabbage with a little mayo and mustard mix or a vinaigrette is one of my go-to side dishes (or even a snack). Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025 Think mustard yellow and olive green. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mustard

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mustard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mustard. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

mustard

noun
mus·​tard ˈməs-tərd How to pronounce mustard (audio)
1
: any of several yellow-flowered herbs related to the turnips and cabbages
2
a
: a yellow sharp-tasting condiment consisting of the crushed seeds of various mustard plants either dry or made into a paste or sauce
b
: the seeds of a mustard plant

Medical Definition

mustard

noun
mus·​tard ˈməs-tərd How to pronounce mustard (audio)
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
3

More from Merriam-Webster on mustard

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