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 The mustard is the kind that singes your nostrils and leaves a tear in your eye. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Favorites include ketchup, mayo, mustard, soy sauce, wasabi and hot sauce. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024 Whisk in the mustard and reduce heat to low, simmer about 5 minutes. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024 For the Venison Pastrami Rub Maple syrup 1 1/2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns 1 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 teaspoon coriander seeds 1 teaspoons dry thyme leaves 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds Directions Trim the roast of any silver skin and fascia. Jack Hennessy, Field & Stream, 13 Mar. 2024 Then boil together rice wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, water and ground sumac. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 Let stand at least 1 hour; drain before using. Assemble: Spread the bread slices with Dijon-style mustard and Thousand Island dressing. Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Feb. 2024 The crispy slices of thick porky belly are served over a rich peanut kare-kare sauce with mustard greens, Sinamak chili vinegar and light sesame rice crisps. Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 This chair is available in three colors: charcoal, moonlight, and mustard. Jenna Clark, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mustard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near mustard

Cite this Entry

“Mustard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mustard. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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