ingredient

[in-gree-dee-uhnt]

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.

ingredient

/ ɪnˈɡriːdɪənt /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ingredient¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ingredient¹

C15: from Latin ingrediēns going into, from ingredī to enter; see _ingress

Synonym Study

See element.

Example Sentences

But Meghan’s recipes are incredibly approachable — and include a simple list of ingredients and tools.

From Salon

He has agreed to sell what he claims to be THC vape liquids to a schoolgirl – an illegal substance which is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

From BBC

These are the kind of ingredients that could fan the flames in the Epstein story as summer turns to autumn.

From BBC

Within months of buying standard vapes from shops, she moved to vapes she believed contained the illegal drug THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that causes its mind-altering effects.

From BBC

Avocado toast has become synonymous with the millennial generation but it relies on the main ingredient being soft enough for smashing.

From BBC

Related Words

• additive 
• element 
• factor 
• piece