ingredient

American  

[in-gree-dee-uhnt] / ɪnˈgri di ənt /

noun

1. something that enters as an element into a mixture.

   Flour, eggs, and sugar are the main ingredients in the cake.

2. a constituent element of anything; component.

   the ingredients of political success.

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ingredient British  

/ ɪnˈɡriːdɪənt /

noun

1. a component of a mixture, compound, etc, esp in cooking

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Related Words

See element.

Etymology

Origin of ingredient

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English from Latin ingredient- (stem of ingrediēns ), present participle of ingredī “to go or step into, commence,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -gredient- “going”; gradient

Example Sentences

But it also has plans to deliver at least $2 billion in cost cuts from around 90 separate initiatives — such as rethinking how it gets its ingredients — over the next few years.

From MarketWatch

In mid-2025, Iran ordered thousands of tons of missile fuel ingredients from China, according to Journal reporting.

From The Wall Street Journal

Common ingredients include hyaluronic acid to help with hydration, peptides for skin plumping, retinals for fine lines and vitamin C for brightening the under-eye area.

From Los Angeles Times

The scarcity of naphtha -- a liquid distilled from petroleum that is essential for making ethylene, a key ingredient in everything from plastic grocery bags to food packaging -- risks a knock-on effect across many industries.

From Barron's

The maker of the brew, La Mer, calls it the “Miracle Broth,” the key ingredient in one of the most coveted products in the beauty industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• additive
• element
• factor
• piece