turmeric

noun tur·mer·ic \ ˈtər-mə-rik also ˈtü-mə- or ˈtyü- \

Definition of turmeric

1 :an Indian perennial herb (Curcuma longa synonym C. domestica) of the ginger family with a large aromatic yellow rhizome

2 :the boiled, dried, and usually ground rhizome of the turmeric plant used as a coloring agent, a flavoring, or a stimulant

3 :a yellow to reddish-brown dyestuff obtained from turmeric

See turmeric defined for kids

Recent Examples of turmeric from the Web

However, research on the benefits of turmeric and curcumin is anything but settled.

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "What should you make of the health claims for turmeric?," 20 Aug. 2017
Add garlic, ginger, mustard seed, turmeric, red pepper flakes and bay leaf.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "Summer menus a snap with these green beans," 18 July 2017
Kerr even managed to cook her one her husband’s favorite meals, slow-roasted chicken with turmeric and lemon, for their wedding meal.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "Inside Miranda Kerr’s Wedding to Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, Including Her Grace Kelly-Inspired Gown," 16 July 2017
The brand, founded by Pooja Bavishi, sells frozen desserts in flavors like masala chai, Turkish coffee and golden turmeric.

— florence fabricant, New York Times, "Savory Spices Warm the Ice Cream at a Brooklyn Food Hall," 3 July 2017
For Bloomfield, those ingredients included bone broth, avocado and turmeric.

— raisa bruner, Time, "Star Chef Dishes on the Cuisine Poised to Take Over America," 1 July 2017
Some additives, like turmeric, are more effective than others.

— sarah meehan, baltimoresun.com, "Trendy health ingredients give restaurants' menus an extra kick," 27 June 2017
To this base, chefs add as many as 25 spices, including coriander, cumin, turmeric, curry powder, and black pepper.

— ashlea halpern, CNT, "Why Soup Curry Is One of Japan's Most Underrated Dishes," 23 June 2017
Fragrant saffron rice warmed, and a pot of lentil soup with carrots and turmeric simmered on the stove.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Amid Muslim anxiety, woman welcomes strangers to dinner," 22 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turmeric.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of turmeric

Middle English turmeryte

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Medical Dictionary

turmeric

noun tur·mer·ic \ ˈtər-mə-rik \

variants: also tumeric play \ˈt(y)ü-mə-\

medical Definition of turmeric

1 :an Indian perennial herb (Curcuma longa) of the ginger family with a large aromatic yellow rhizome

2 :the cleaned, boiled, dried, and usually ground rhizome of the turmeric plant used in dietary supplements and herbal remedies and as a spice — see curcumin

3 :a yellow to reddish brown dyestuff obtained from turmeric

Learn More about turmeric

Britannica English: Translation of turmeric for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about turmeric

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turmeric

Definition of turmeric

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Origin and Etymology of turmeric

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turmeric

medical Definition of turmeric

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