ginseng

American  

[jin-seng] / ˈdʒɪn sɛŋ /

noun

ginsengs plural

1. any of several plants of the genus Panax, especially P. pseudoginseng, of eastern Asia, or P. qinquefolius, of North America, having an aromatic root used medicinally.

2. the root itself.

3. a preparation made from it.

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ginseng British  

/ ˈdʒɪnsɛŋ /

noun

1. either of two araliaceous plants, Panax schinseng of China or P. quinquefolius of North America, whose forked aromatic roots are used medicinally

2. the root of either of these plants or a substance obtained from the roots, believed to possess stimulant, tonic, and energy-giving properties

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ginsengs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ginseng

1645–55; < Chinese (Wade-Giles) jên2 shên1, (Pinyin) rén-shēn, equivalent to rén man + shēn name for a kind of herb

Example Sentences

With her personal information leaked, Lee said she has received several unwelcome calls a day from firms trying to sell her insurance, credit cards and red ginseng.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

The researchers say that this study opens up the possibilities for new osteoporosis treatments based on the female ginseng compound, whether in its current form or as a structural template for further drug development.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024

By pairing caffeine with other buzzy active ingredients like ginseng, carnitine, creatine and ginkgo biloba, they position these drinks as enhancers of mental alertness and concentration, too.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2024

The Lynnwood H Mart is where Brandon Ching, a 33-year-old who grew up in Hawaii, goes to find cans of Hawaiian Sun green tea lychee with ginseng.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 24, 2023

He was in Welch selling more ginseng for our zinc-dust money and had seen me from the street.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam