cardamom

American  

[kahr-duh-muhm] / ˈkɑr də məm /

Also cardamon

noun

cardamoms plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cardamoms
  plural

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 is an encouragement to protect... one of the very pristine evergreen forests in this Cardamom Mountains."

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

Before entering politics, Mamdani had a brief venture into the world of rap: performing under the alias "Young Cardamom."

From Barron's • Nov. 2, 2025

They have called it a "real sign of hope", after more than 20 years of efforts to revive the reptile's numbers in the remote Cardamom Mountains.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2024

This year, my "muse" is Italian citrus: Brand new 2023 entries include Lemon and Vanilla; Orange, Tangerine and Cardamom; and Sour Cherry, Lemon and Pistachio.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2023

Cardamom, k�r′da-mom, n. the capsules of certain tropical plants, which form an aromatic, pungent spice.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various