spearmint

American  

[speer-mint] / ˈspɪərˌmɪnt /

noun

1. an aromatic herb, Mentha spicata, having lance-shaped leaves used for flavoring.

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spearmint British  

/ ˈspɪəmɪnt /

noun

1. a purple-flowered mint plant, Mentha spicata, of S and central Europe, cultivated for its leaves, which yield an oil used for flavouring

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Etymology

Origin of spearmint

First recorded in 1530–40; spear ¹ + mint ¹

Example Sentences

For a bargain option, check out Trader Joe's Well Rested Herbal Tea, which touts chamomile, spearmint, peppermint, blackberry leaves, and rosebuds.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

Menthol is a naturally occurring cyclic monoterpene alcohol found in various plants, particularly in members of the mint family such as peppermint and spearmint.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2024

It actually turns out that beta-ionone is in a bunch of things—such as tobacco, grapes, orange juice, papaya, peaches, raspberries, spearmint and tea.

From Scientific American • Aug. 1, 2023

In particular, spearmint and peppermint are energetic, persistent spreaders when planted in a landscape, but apple mint and other varieties can also go rogue.

From Washington Post • Mar. 29, 2023

And although it has nothing to do with this story, no Abbeville child, no matter who its mother was, knew the lack of a stick of spearmint ever afterward.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck