spearmint

American

[speer-mint] / ˈspɪərˌmɪnt /

noun

an aromatic herb, Mentha spicata, having lance-shaped leaves used for flavoring.

spearmint British

/ ˈspɪəmɪnt /

noun

a purple-flowered mint plant, Mentha spicata, of S and central Europe, cultivated for its leaves, which yield an oil used for flavouring

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of spearmint

First recorded in 1530–40; spear ¹ + mint ¹

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.

For a bargain option, check out Trader Joe's Well Rested Herbal Tea, which touts chamomile, spearmint, peppermint, blackberry leaves, and rosebuds.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

Menthol is a naturally occurring cyclic monoterpene alcohol found in various plants, particularly in members of the mint family such as peppermint and spearmint.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2024

It actually turns out that beta-ionone is in a bunch of things—such as tobacco, grapes, orange juice, papaya, peaches, raspberries, spearmint and tea.

From Scientific American • Aug. 1, 2023

Peppermint, as you might expect, has a peppery scent and sharp taste, while spearmint is softer and sweeter.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 23, 2022

“Why, I bet you wouldn’t let them have a pack of spearmint now.”

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023