mayonnaise

American  

[mey-uh-neyz, mey-uh-neyz] / ˌmeɪ əˈneɪz, ˈmeɪ əˌneɪz /

noun

1. a thick dressing of egg yolks, vinegar or lemon juice, oil, and seasonings, used for salads, sandwiches, vegetable dishes, etc.

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mayonnaise British  

/ ˌmeɪəˈneɪz /

noun

1. a thick creamy sauce made from egg yolks, oil, and vinegar or lemon juice, eaten with salads, eggs, etc

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Etymology

Origin of mayonnaise

1835–45; < French, equivalent to mayon (perhaps variant of Mahón, town in Minorca) + -aise -ese

Compare meaning

How does mayonnaise compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• aioli vs. mayonnaise

Explanation

Mayonnaise is the creamy white condiment you use to make tuna salad or spread on your BLT sandwich. Most mayonnaise is made from egg yolks, oil, and lemon juice. Mayonnaise is common in many foods around the world, from fancy French sauces like rémoulade to Japanese okonomiyaki. In the Netherlands and Belgium, French fries are served with mayonnaise instead of the standard American condiment, ketchup. In the U.S., mayonnaise was first sold commercially in Philadelphia in 1907, made by a local woman named Amelia Schlorer. If you've got a whisk, eggs and olive oil, and a strong arm, you can even make your own mayonnaise.

Example Sentences

McCormick is putting up $29.1 billion in stock and $15.7 billion in cash, and will own 35% of the combined company that includes Unilever’s signature food brands such as Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Knorr soup mixes.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Its food labels include Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Knorr soup mixes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The pair, who live in a cramped studio apartment in a crumbling colonial-era building, can’t afford butter or mayonnaise, so breakfast is a piece of plain bread.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

Reindeer tartare with red cabbage and fermented garlic mayonnaise.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Grace rolled her eyes, then dipped her fry in her side of mayonnaise.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway