mustard

American  

[muhs-terd] / ˈmʌs tərd /

noun

mustards plural

1. a pungent powder or paste prepared from the seeds of certain mustard plants, used as a food seasoning or condiment, and medicinally in plasters, poultices, etc.

2. Botany. any of various cruciferous plants of the mustard family, noted for their acrid and pungent qualities and widely cultivated for culinary and agricultural purposes: among the most commercially important mustards are black mustard, brown mustard, and white mustard.

3. nitrogen mustard.

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idioms

1. cut the mustard, to reach or surpass the desired standard of performance.

   a pitcher who cuts the mustard with his fastball.

mustard British  

/ ˈmʌstəd /

noun

1. any of several Eurasian plants of the genus Brassica, esp black mustard and white mustard, having yellow or white flowers and slender pods and cultivated for their pungent seeds: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) See also charlock

2. a paste made from the powdered seeds of any of these plants and used as a condiment

3. 1. a brownish-yellow colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a mustard carpet

4. slang zest or enthusiasm

5. slang to come up to expectations

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mustard More Idioms  

1. see cut the mustard.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mustards
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mustard

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English mostard(e), mustart, from Old French mostarde, moustarde, a relish originally made of mustard seed and must, equivalent to moust + -arde; see origin at must ², -ard

Explanation

Mustard is the yellow sauce people commonly use to spice up their hotdogs. Whether it's ballpark mustard or fancy Grey Poupon, it's a condiment made from the ground seeds of the mustard plant. Mustard comes in several different forms, including the bright yellow kind in a packet at your favorite fast food restaurant and the brownish, slightly coarse mustard that comes in a fancy jar labeled "Dijon." All of these mustards are made from mustard seeds and spices, often mixed with lemon juice and salt. The plant that grows these seeds also produces edible leaves called "mustard greens."

Example Sentences

Each typically contains little plastic sachets of mustard and soy sauce.

From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026

One user posted an image of an abandoned office space, with mustard yellow wallpaper and fluorescent lighting.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

TikTok may love cottage cheese and mustard, but there are so many other ways to enjoy cottage cheese as a dip.

From Salon • May 24, 2026

The other was a Huntr/x meal featuring ramyeon-flavored fries and themed sauces, including a purple-hued mustard inspired by demon patterns.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Just before we lay down to sleep, Mrs. Lai gave Sass some mustard oil and camphor to rub on Hari’s chest.

From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan

Related Words

• dressing
• gravy
• horseradish
• ketchup
• pepper
• relish
• salsa
• salt
• sauce
• seasoning
• spice