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

The 24-year-old Algerian loves a nutmeg and produced a terrific shot that clipped the crossbar in the second half. — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Pumpkin-Praline Muffins Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pumpkin lend great flavor to these grab-and-go muffins. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 6 Sep. 2026

This sourdough bakes warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger right into a pumpkin loaf. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake The base of the Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake is made with pumpkin purée and a medley of fall spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for nutmeg

• blackleg
• bootleg
• foreleg
• mpeg
• prepreg
• beg
• clegg
• egg
• keg
• leg
• legg
• meg

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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