mustard

noun mus·tard \ ˈmə-stərd \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 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

Lake County students, church members and corporate workers help pull garlic mustard for service days.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Battling garlic mustard: Noxious weeds get pulled from Lake County forests by teams of volunteers," 8 June 2018
Pulling garlic mustard and hedge parsley will be on the agenda, organizers said.

— staff report, Aurora Beacon-News, "PrairieFest Quilt Show coming to Oswego," 8 June 2018
Theroux and Miller were all smiles at the launch party, where Miller sported a bright mustard dress while Theroux wore a jean shirt with black pants.

— ale russian, PEOPLE.com, "Justin Theroux and Sienna Miller Reunite in N.Y.C. After Hanging Together in France," 8 June 2018
Add mustard mixture, increase heat to medium and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

— charlotte druckman, WSJ, "Steak Diane: So Retro, So Right Now," 7 June 2018
Ham and cheese on a long bun, griddled under pressure, oozes butterkase, with pickles and mustard inside, a stealthy Cuban Reuben.

— mike sula, Chicago Reader, "Frunchroom is the Jewish-Italian deli you didn’t know you needed in your life," 7 June 2018
Stroll among 60-plus booths selling local apples and apple-y treats, including caramel apples, apple pies, apple tortes, dumplings or tarts, apple sundaes, apple cider — even apple bratwurst, mustard and butter.

— nancy stohs, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "6 food festivals that offer a glimpse of Wisconsin specialties and local culture," 6 June 2018
But the same couldn't be said for Dustin Lynch who showed up in a mustard jacket paired with black acid wash jeans.

— carolina gonzales, Houston Chronicle, "Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson hit up the CMT Music Awards: Best and worst dressed celebrities," 6 June 2018
This year, however, thanks to the bold-hued inspiration of the late 1980s and early ’90s, the soft neutral ivories and taupes have been replaced with reds, greens, mustards.

— elizabeth wellington, Philly.com, "Festival season in Philadelphia is here. Here's what to wear so you don't look like a fool | Elizabeth Wellington," 30 May 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