caraway

noun

car·​a·​way ˈker-ə-ˌwā 

ˈka-rə-

1

: a biennial usually white-flowered aromatic Old World herb (Carum carvi) of the carrot family

2

: the pungent fruit of the caraway used in seasoning and medicine

called also caraway seed

Examples of caraway in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dan goes very traditional German with a potato pancake served with charred cabbage, caraway sauerkraut, mustard butter, and dill, while Amanda gets a little more modern with a rye and caraway spätzle, caramelized onion, and crispy sauerkraut. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 May 2024

Within it, there are loaves of caraway rye bread — the pastry chef Sam Short remembers her Polish grandmother making liverwurst sandwiches with it — alongside guava cream cheese Danishes made from croissant trimmings. —Roxanne Fequiere Elissa Suh Maria Geyman Katharine Sohn Jameson Montgomery Zoe Ruffner, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024

Best for: Bloat, gas Key ingredients: Peppermint leaf, lemon balm, fennel, anise (licorice), and caraway Pros: Vegan; affordable Cons: The pills may have a strong smell and taste. —Marilyn La Jeunesse, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024

In addition to authentic costumes and period-correct dances, guests enjoyed a buffet of food — like caraway cakes and temperance punch — typical of fare at fancy events of the 1860s. —Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from Medieval Latin carvi, from Arabic karawyā, from Greek karon

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

caraway

noun

car·​a·​way ˈkar-ə-ˌwā 

: a usually white-flowered herb related to the carrot and having fruits used in seasoning and medicine

Medical Definition

caraway

noun

car·​a·​way ˈkar-ə-ˌwā 

1

: a biennial usually white-flowered aromatic herb (Carum carvi) of the carrot family (Umbelliferae) with pungent fruits

2

: the fruit of caraway that is used in cookery and confectionery and is the source of caraway oil

called also caraway seed