nutmeg

noun

nut·​meg ˈnət-ˌmeg 

-ˌmāg

1

: an aromatic seed produced by an evergreen tree (Myristica fragrans of the family Myristicaceae, the nutmeg family) native to the Moluccas

also : the ground seed used as a spice compare mace sense 2

2

: a tree yielding nutmeg

Did you know?

Nutmeg is native to the Moluccas, Indonesian islands in the Malay Archipelago of Southeast Asia. The word nutmeg, however, comes from Old Occitan, a Romance language spoken in southern France during the latter half of the Middle Ages. Old Occitan "noz muscada" combines "noz" ("nut"), from Latin nuc-, nux, with "muscada," a feminine form of muscat, meaning "musky." The history of "muscat" can in turn be traced back through Late Latin, Greek, and Middle Persian to a Sanskrit word meaning "mouse."

Examples of nutmeg in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Four 6-oz. fillets mild white fish, preferably haddock, pollock, or sea bream ⅓ cup all-purpose flour 2½ cups whole milk Pinch freshly grated nutmeg 1 tsp. —Simone Bouhour, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024

Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg can also add a flavor zip to coffee. —Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024

The delight the Dutch took in the deal can be summed up in one word: nutmeg. —Muktita Suhartono Nyimas Laula, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024

Serve in chilled glasses and grate both fresh nutmeg and a coffee bean on top for garnish. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2024

By refusing to treat opium (or the planet, or nutmeg) as inert matter, Ghosh is resisting the mechanistic mind-set, dating from the violence of colonial conquest, which reduces our complex world to resources for human use. —Delia Falconer, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024

The fresh nutmeg was grated atop the final craft cocktail pairing, a take on an espresso martini. —Brett Berk, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024

Two spices are derived from each nutmeg fruit — what the world knows as nutmeg is the seed, while the spice mace is the red membrane surrounding the seed. —Muktita Suhartono Nyimas Laula, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024

The nuts are coated in an irresistible cinnamon-sugar blend that gets extra flavor from nutmeg and vanilla. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English notemigge, notemuge, ultimately from Old Occitan noz muscada, from noz nut (from Latin nuc-, nux) + muscada, feminine of muscat musky — more at muscat

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

nutmeg

noun

nut·​meg ˈnət-ˌmeg 

: a spice that consists of the ground seeds of a small tropical evergreen tree grown especially in Indonesia

also : the seed or tree

Medical Definition

nutmeg

noun

nut·​meg ˈnət-ˌmeg, -ˌmāg 

1

: an aromatic seed that is used as a spice and is produced by a tree of the genus Myristica (M. fragrans of the family Myristicaceae, the nutmeg family) native to the Moluccas

called also myristica

2

: a tree that produces nutmegs