cinnamon

noun

cin·​na·​mon ˈsi-nə-mən 

often attributive

1

a

: the aromatic, dried bark of any of several tropical trees (genus Cinnamomum) yielding a culinary spice, oil, and flavoring

especially : a small roll or quill of cinnamon bark

b

: the tan to dark brown spice that is prepared from cinnamon bark by powdering and has a somewhat sweet and spicy taste

Note: Ceylon cinnamon comes from a tree (Cinnamomum verum) of Sri Lanka and southern India and is usually considered to be true cinnamon. Chinese cinnamon, Indonesian cinnamon, and Saigon cinnamon come from several related trees and typically comprise most of the less expensive cinnamon spice sold in stores. This spice, also known as cassia, tends to have a stronger, spicier character than true cinnamon.

c

: a tree that yields cinnamon

2

: a light yellowish brown

cinnamony

ˈsi-nə-mə-nē 

adjective

Did you know?

Cinnamon is a spice produced from a bushy evergreen tree of the laurel family. The tree is native to Sri Lanka, India, and Burma and cultivated in South America and the West Indies for the spice, which is prepared from its dried inner bark. The light-brown spice has a delicately fragrant aroma and warm, sweet flavor. It was once more valuable than gold. The oil is distilled from bark fragments for use in food, liqueur, drugs, and perfume.

Examples of cinnamon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consider spicy cinnamon, cozy vanilla, rich amber, and maybe a touch of smoky leather. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 12 Dec. 2024

The palate features shades of vanilla caramel cream and warm oatmeal with cinnamon and nutmeg. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

In an investigation published in September, researchers at Consumer Reports tested 36 ground cinnamon products and spice blends that contain cinnamon, such as garam masala and five-spice powder. —Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 11 Dec. 2024

Add 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 2 teaspoons allspice, and 2 teaspoons cardamom. —Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cynamone, from Anglo-French, from Latin cinnamomum, cinnamon, from Greek kinnamōmon, kinnamon, of non-Indo-European origin; akin to Hebrew qinnāmōn cinnamon

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cinnamon

• Batavia cinnamon
• cassia cinnamon
• Ceylon cinnamon
• Chinese cinnamon
• cinnamon fern
• cinnamon stick
• cinnamon stone
• Indonesian cinnamon
• Korintje cinnamon
• Saigon cinnamon
• Vietnamese cinnamon

Kids Definition

cinnamon

noun

cin·​na·​mon ˈsin-ə-mən 

1

a

: a spice consisting of the pleasant-smelling bark of any of several Asian trees related to the laurels

b

: a tree that yields cinnamon

2

: a light yellowish brown

cinnamony

-mə-nē 

adjective

Medical Definition

cinnamon

noun

cin·​na·​mon ˈsin-ə-mən 

often attributive

1

: any of several Asian trees of the genus Cinnamomum

2

a

: the highly aromatic, dried bark of a cinnamon tree that yields a culinary spice, cinnamaldehyde, and cinnamon oil

b

: an aromatic spice prepared from the dried inner bark of a cinnamon

Note: A typically mild and somewhat sweet, tan to light brown cinnamon comes from a tree (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) of Sri Lanka and southern India, and is usually considered to be true cinnamon. Cinnamon that comes from several related trees (such as the Chinese cinnamon) typically accounts for most of the less expensive cinnamon spice sold in stores. This spice, also known as cassia, tends to have a stronger, spicier character than true cinnamon.