cumin
Americannoun
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a small plant, Cuminum cyminum, of the parsley family, bearing aromatic, seedlike fruit, used in cooking and medicine.
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the aromatic fruit or seeds of Cuminum cyminum.
noun
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an umbelliferous Mediterranean plant, Cuminum cyminum, with finely divided leaves and small white or pink flowers
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the aromatic seeds (collectively) of this plant, used as a condiment and a flavouring
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of cumin
First recorded before 900; Middle English comyn, cumin (from Old French comin ) from Latin cumīnum, from Greek kýmīnon, from Semitic (compare Arabic kammūn, Hebrew kammōn cumin); replacing Old English cymen from Latin, as above
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Vocabulary lists containing cumin
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.
For an earthy, curry-inspired bowl of soup, sprinkle in a pinch of cumin and coriander or add in a few drops of toasted sesame oil.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
He honed his craft during the pandemic, developing flavors like red mole topped with sesame, and a Mexican everything spice blend that includes garlic, onion, toasted cumin and ancho chile with a hint of lime.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026
By peak summer, I harvest a karela for lunch daily, slice it into thin discs, smear mustard oil, turmeric, cumin with chili powder.
From Salon ● May 9, 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
Having no cumin or cecily for sealing the cord, she spat on her hand and rubbed the cut end.
From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman
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.
