mustard

American  

[muhs-terd] / ˈmʌs tərd /

noun

1. a pungent powder or paste prepared from the seeds of certain mustard plants, used as a food seasoning or condiment, and medicinally in plasters, poultices, etc.

2. Botany. any of various cruciferous plants of the mustard family, noted for their acrid and pungent qualities and widely cultivated for culinary and agricultural purposes: among the most commercially important mustards are black mustard, brown mustard, and white mustard.

3. nitrogen mustard.

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idioms

1. cut the mustard, to reach or surpass the desired standard of performance.

   a pitcher who cuts the mustard with his fastball.

mustard British  

/ ˈmʌstəd /

noun

1. any of several Eurasian plants of the genus Brassica, esp black mustard and white mustard, having yellow or white flowers and slender pods and cultivated for their pungent seeds: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) See also charlock

2. a paste made from the powdered seeds of any of these plants and used as a condiment

3. 1. a brownish-yellow colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a mustard carpet

4. slang zest or enthusiasm

5. slang to come up to expectations

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mustard More Idioms  

1. see cut the mustard.

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Etymology

Origin of mustard

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English mostard(e), mustart, from Old French mostarde, moustarde, a relish originally made of mustard seed and must, equivalent to moust + -arde; see origin at must ², -ard

Explanation

Mustard is the yellow sauce people commonly use to spice up their hotdogs. Whether it's ballpark mustard or fancy Grey Poupon, it's a condiment made from the ground seeds of the mustard plant. Mustard comes in several different forms, including the bright yellow kind in a packet at your favorite fast food restaurant and the brownish, slightly coarse mustard that comes in a fancy jar labeled "Dijon." All of these mustards are made from mustard seeds and spices, often mixed with lemon juice and salt. The plant that grows these seeds also produces edible leaves called "mustard greens."

Example Sentences

By peak summer, I harvest a karela for lunch daily, slice it into thin discs, smear mustard oil, turmeric, cumin with chili powder.

From Salon • May 9, 2026

He also told the crowd of a new delicacy he discovered: white grapes dipped in spicy Dijon mustard.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

Dubowski said he had experienced a "strange bit of self-doubt" earlier after he was asked what was mixed with vinegar, mustard and oil to make a basic mayonnaise.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

A precocious scholar and the editor of Lewis and Clark’s journals, Biddle might be America’s best-read central banker, though his bookishness cut no mustard with Andrew Jackson.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

I don’t care if the mustard goes down well or not.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

Related Words

• dressing
• gravy
• horseradish
• ketchup
• pepper
• relish
• salsa
• salt
• sauce
• seasoning
• spice