cardamom
Americannoun
-
the aromatic seed capsules of a tropical Asian plant, Elettaria cardamomum, of the ginger family, used as a spice or condiment and in medicine.
-
the plant itself.
-
a related plant, Amomum compactum, or its seeds, used as a substitute for true cardamom.
noun
-
a tropical Asian zingiberaceous plant, Elettaria cardamomum, that has large hairy leaves
-
the seeds of this plant, used esp as a spice or condiment
-
a related East Indian plant, Amomum cardamomum, whose seeds are used as a substitute for cardamom seeds
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of cardamom
1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin cardamōmum < Greek kardámōnon, blend of kárdamon cress and ámōmon a spice plant
Explanation
Cardamom is a strong-flavored spice that comes from the seeds of a plant. Authentic chai tea is flavored with many spices, including cardamom. When the seed pod of a cardamom plant is dried and ground, the resulting spice smells smoky and distinctive. Since cardamom is native to India and other parts of South Asia, it's a common flavoring in many Indian dishes. It also happens to be one of the most expensive spices in the world, along with saffron and vanilla. The word has a Greek root, kardamomon, combining kardamon, "cress," and amomon, "spice plant."
Vocabulary lists containing cardamom
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The earthy fragrance of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and cumin.
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026
Born in June 1943 in Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu, as R Gnanathesikan, Ilaiyaraaja was raised on the folk songs and ballads sung by his father, a cardamom estate supervisor.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
She’s a huge fan of chocolate, coffee and cardamom, so I’ll be baking her a decadent chocolate olive oil cake paired with a spiced whipped cream that calls for more cocoa powder.
From Salon • May 10, 2026
It’s a spice mix made of cumin, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and turmeric.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
Mama fixes a cup for Thaya Jaan, mixing sugar into the steaming milky brew scented with cardamom.
From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
