cardamom

noun

car·​da·​mom ˈkär-də-məm 

-ˌmäm

: the aromatic capsular fruit of an Indian herb (Elettaria cardamomum) of the ginger family with seeds used as a spice and in medicine

also : this plant

Examples of cardamom in a Sentence

a tablespoon of ground cardamom

Recent Examples on the Web

The Indian recipe is made with warming spices like cumin, ginger, coriander, cinnamon, and cardamom. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026

There was Vietnamese banh mi and Turkish baklava and Swedish cardamom rolls and Danish smørrebrød and also—since Gothenburg never loses its laser focus on the local—delicious wine made inside the city limits at Wine Mechanics. —Laura Moser, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026

Simonis detects a fruitiness and a hint of cardamom and nutmeg. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 10 May 2026

The original is flavored with seven botanicals—angelica, cardamom, lemon, coriander, orange, orris, and of course juniper. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin cardamomum, from Greek kardamōmon, blend of kardamon peppergrass and amōmon, an Indian spice plant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cardamom

noun

car·​da·​mom ˈkärd-ə-məm, -ˌmäm 

: the aromatic capsular fruit of an Indian herb (Elettaria cardamomum) of the ginger family with seeds used as a spice and in medicine

also : this plant