ingredient
Americannoun
-
something that enters as an element into a mixture.
Flour, eggs, and sugar are the main ingredients in the cake.
-
a constituent element of anything; component.
the ingredients of political success.
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That’s an essential ingredient to building electoral support for changes that often feel like a huge leap of faith when voters are accustomed to the false security of the status quo.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
CagriSema is a fixed-dose combination of two medications: cagrilintide, which mimics the natural hormone amylin, and semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo’s Wegovy and Ozempic.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
The cost of crude oil, a vital ingredient in gas and diesel, has surged as a result.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
This makes it important to carefully review labels and understand how much of each ingredient is being consumed.
From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026
‘It’s the final ingredient to cure death, Zhang. It’s a super daisy! How about you guys? Learn anything from Artemis?’
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
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.
