mustard

noun

mus·​tard ˈmə-stərd 

1

a

: a pungent yellow condiment consisting of the pulverized seeds of various mustard plants (such as Sinapis alba, Brassica juncea, and B. nigra) either dry or made into a paste or sauce (as by mixing with water or vinegar) and sometimes adulterated with other substances (such as turmeric) or mixed with spices

b

: the seed of a mustard plant used as a spice and in medicine as a stimulant and diuretic, an emetic, or a counterirritant

c

slang : zest

2

: any of several herbs (genera Brassica and Sinapis of the family Brassicaceae synonym Cruciferae, the mustard family) with lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and linear beaked pods

3

: a dark to moderate yellow

mustardy

ˈmə-stər-dē 

adjective

Illustration of mustard

• mustard 2

Examples of mustard in a Sentence

Would you like some mustard on your hot dog?

Recent Examples on the Web

The latter features a footlong dog in a toasted bun, topped with ranch beans, bacon, pico de gallo, mustard, and mayo. —Nasha Smith, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

In under 10 minutes, the meaty bologna stars in a dish that is made with a few pantry staples: mayonnaise, mustard, onions, and pickles. —Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025

The cheese, mustard, and diced water chestnuts in the filling help set them apart. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2025

While Bob goes on his own side quest, Linda and Teddy egg each other on, starting out with dyeing some beer green and moving on to coloring … everything — ketchup, mustard, fries, burgers. —Marianne Eloise, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French mustarde, from must must, from Latin mustum

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mustard

• (as) keen as mustard
• cut the mustard
• Dijon mustard
• mustard gas
• mustard plaster
• nitrogen mustard
• white mustard
• wild mustard

Rhymes for mustard

• blustered
• bustard
• clustered
• custard
• flustered
• mustered

Kids Definition

mustard

noun

mus·​tard ˈməs-tərd 

1

: any of several yellow-flowered herbs related to the turnips and cabbages

2

a

: a yellow sharp-tasting condiment consisting of the crushed seeds of various mustard plants either dry or made into a paste or sauce

b

: the seeds of a mustard plant

Medical Definition

mustard

noun

mus·​tard ˈməs-tərd 

1

: a pungent yellow condiment consisting of the pulverized seeds of the black mustard or sometimes the white mustard either dry or made into a paste and serving as a stimulant and diuretic or in large doses as an emetic and as a counterirritant when applied to the skin as a poultice

2

: any of several herbs (genus Brassica of the family Cruciferae, the mustard family) with lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and linear beaked pods see black mustard sense 1, white mustard

3

a

: mustard gas

b

: nitrogen mustard