nutmeg

noun

nut·​meg ˈnət-ˌmeg 

-ˌmāg

1

: an aromatic seed produced by an evergreen tree (Myristica fragrans of the family Myristicaceae, the nutmeg family) native to the Moluccas

also : the ground seed used as a spice compare mace sense 2

2

: a tree yielding nutmeg

Did you know?

Nutmeg is native to the Moluccas, Indonesian islands in the Malay Archipelago of Southeast Asia. The word nutmeg, however, comes from Old Occitan, a Romance language spoken in southern France during the latter half of the Middle Ages. Old Occitan "noz muscada" combines "noz" ("nut"), from Latin nuc-, nux, with "muscada," a feminine form of muscat, meaning "musky." The history of "muscat" can in turn be traced back through Late Latin, Greek, and Middle Persian to a Sanskrit word meaning "mouse."

Examples of nutmeg in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, heat half-and-half, nutmeg, mustard, and remaining 2 teaspoons salt in a small saucepan over medium until steaming, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2025

Cocktails include the Zero to Sixty (vodka, coffee liquor, amaro, vanilla, house brew and nitrogen), Seventy-Seven (rye whiskey and house lemon-lime soda) and Painkiller (rum, pineapple, coconut, orange juice and nutmeg). —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2025

Season with a pinch of nutmeg for added warmth and flavor. —Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2025

Its nose hints at caramel, muscovado sugar, cloves, and cherries, while the palate offers nutmeg, figs, cloves, and pineapple. —Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English notemigge, notemuge, ultimately from Old Occitan noz muscada, from noz nut (from Latin nuc-, nux) + muscada, feminine of muscat musky — more at muscat

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nutmeg

• blackleg
• bootleg
• foreleg
• mpeg
• prepreg
• beg
• clegg
• egg
• keg
• leg
• legg
• meg

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Kids Definition

nutmeg

noun

nut·​meg ˈnət-ˌmeg 

: a spice that consists of the ground seeds of a small tropical evergreen tree grown especially in Indonesia

also : the seed or tree

Medical Definition

nutmeg

noun

nut·​meg ˈnət-ˌmeg, -ˌmāg 

1

: an aromatic seed that is used as a spice and is produced by a tree of the genus Myristica (M. fragrans of the family Myristicaceae, the nutmeg family) native to the Moluccas

called also myristica

2

: a tree that produces nutmegs