ginseng

American  

[jin-seng] / ˈdʒɪn sɛŋ /

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Panax, especially P. pseudoginseng, of eastern Asia, or P. qinquefolius, of North America, having an aromatic root used medicinally.

2. the root itself.

3. a preparation made from it.

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ginseng British  

/ ˈdʒɪnsɛŋ /

noun

1. either of two araliaceous plants, Panax schinseng of China or P. quinquefolius of North America, whose forked aromatic roots are used medicinally

2. the root of either of these plants or a substance obtained from the roots, believed to possess stimulant, tonic, and energy-giving properties

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Etymology

Origin of ginseng

1645–55; < Chinese (Wade-Giles) jên2 shên1, (Pinyin) rén-shēn, equivalent to rén man + shēn name for a kind of herb

Example Sentences

With her personal information leaked, Lee said she has received several unwelcome calls a day from firms trying to sell her insurance, credit cards and red ginseng.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

Inspired by the traditional efficacy of female ginseng, the team tested the compounds for their impact on the formation of cells called osteoclasts, which facilitate bone loss.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024

By pairing caffeine with other buzzy active ingredients like ginseng, carnitine, creatine and ginkgo biloba, they position these drinks as enhancers of mental alertness and concentration, too.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2024

The Lynnwood H Mart is where Brandon Ching, a 33-year-old who grew up in Hawaii, goes to find cans of Hawaiian Sun green tea lychee with ginseng.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 24, 2023

There were several men in Welch who ran ads in the paper for ginseng root and paid good money, so for once one of O’Dell’s schemes paid off.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam