galangal

American  

[guh-lang-guhl] / gəˈlæŋ gəl /

noun

1. the aromatic rhizome of certain eastern Asian plants belonging to the genus Alpinia, of the ginger family, used medicinally and in Southeast Asian cuisine.

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galangal British  

/ ɡəˈlæŋɡəl /

noun

1. another name for galingale

2. a zingiberaceous plant, Alpinia officinarum, of China and the East Indies

3. the pungent aromatic root of this plant, dried and used as a seasoning and in medicine

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Etymology

Origin of galangal

First recorded in 1500–10, in the sense “aromatic rhizome of the genus Cyperus ”; variant spelling of galingale

Example Sentences

The tom kha soup, served in a large silver bowl over a small flame, . is rich with coconut milk and bright with lemongrass, lime and galangal.

From Los Angeles Times

And just limeade and galangal soda, no alcohol, are available, too.

From Seattle Times

Of the 40 tools we analyzed, 12 produced a range of spices including turmeric, ginger, fingerroot, sand ginger, galangal, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon.

From Salon

Traces of eight spices were found: turmeric, ginger, fingerroot, sand ginger, galangal, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon.

From Scientific American

If using a mortar and pestle, don’t grind the harder herbs: Instead, slice the galangal into 1/4-inch rounds, smash the lemongrass bulbs and add them when frying the paste.

From Washington Post