mustard
Americannoun
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mustards
plural
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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.
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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.
idioms
noun
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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
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a paste made from the powdered seeds of any of these plants and used as a condiment
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a brownish-yellow colour
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( as adjective )
a mustard carpet
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slang zest or enthusiasm
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slang to come up to expectations
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English mostard(e), mustart, from Old French mostarde, moustarde, a relish originally made of mustard seed and must, equivalent to moust + -arde; see origin at must 2, -ard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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
At the new Cole’s there will be French dips, cocktails and the return of the atomic mustard, albeit with a slightly tweaked recipe.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
Seeds were sourced from London's last remaining tower mustard populations in Lesnes Abbey Woods in Bexley and Stain Hill Reservoir in Richmond-upon-Thames.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
The plants, grown by volunteers, are being reestablished at sites across London, in regions where tower mustard was previously known to occur.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
I’d probably do turkey on rye with mustard, but with coleslaw and Russian dressing on the side so I can add small amounts when I want.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Grandpa Sorenson shuffled into the kitchen wearing boxers, socks, and an undershirt stained with brown mustard.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
The space and financial investment required is minor: in the study, the gardening took place in regular flower boxes, while the plants cultivated, such as peas, beans, mustards and salads, came from the shop shelf.
From Science Daily ● May 23, 2024
Weaver notes that this variety is among High Mowing's best-selling mustards and is "very popular among commercial growers for its high and reliable productivity and great flavor," which is sweet and slightly pungent.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2023
There are numerous kinds of wild mustards in California, but black mustard or Brassica nigra is considered among the most pervasive.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 15, 2023
These are often used in Indian cooking, but can also be blended into prepared mustards.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 2, 2023
That evening the women brought bowls of pot liquor from black-eyed peas, from mustards, from cabbage, from kale, from collards, from turnips, from beets, from green beans.
From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
