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.
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
"Another decisive factor was the fact that detailed safety data was available for the long-term use of sildenafil in children, as the active ingredient is already approved for other pediatric disorders."
From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026
The cost of crude oil, a vital ingredient in gas and diesel, has surged as a result.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
It’s the kind of ingredient that makes the whole dairy-free thing feel less like a workaround and more like an upgrade.
From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026
ALBUS: Pearl dust is a relatively rare ingredient, isn’t it?
From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling
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.
