cardamom

American  

[kahr-duh-muhm] / ˈkɑr də məm /

Also cardamon

noun

1. the aromatic seed capsules of a tropical Asian plant, Elettaria cardamomum, of the ginger family, used as a spice or condiment and in medicine.

2. the plant itself.

3. a related plant, Amomum compactum, or its seeds, used as a substitute for true cardamom.

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cardamom British  

/ ˈkɑːdəməm, ˈkɑːdəmən /

noun

1. a tropical Asian zingiberaceous plant, Elettaria cardamomum, that has large hairy leaves

2. the seeds of this plant, used esp as a spice or condiment

3. a related East Indian plant, Amomum cardamomum, whose seeds are used as a substitute for cardamom seeds

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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."

Example Sentences

It’s a spice mix made of cumin, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and turmeric.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The breakdown here is mostly cinnamon, anchored and warm, with cardamom hovering just at the edges.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Don’t sleep on seasoning: warming spices like cinnamon, allspice and cardamom, plus baking favorites like ginger, citrus zest, or vanilla, take a smoothie from functional to delicious.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026

Black cardamom, on the other hand, “is almost three times the size of a green cardamom pod and is much more fibrous and tough,” she writes.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2026

He rolled the bottom of the teapot around on the cardamom pods to pop them open, then scooped them up and dropped them in with the tea leaves.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram