condiment

noun

con·​di·​ment ˈkän-də-mənt 

plural condiments

: something (such as a seasoning, sauce, garnish, or topping) that is added to food usually after the food is prepared and that enhances or adds to its flavor

Mustard is a top-selling condiment, and although ketchup and mayonnaise consistently outrank it in popularity worldwide, more than 700 million pounds of mustard are sold every year …

—Melissa St. Aude

Then he presents … a bowl of creamy potatoes and a tray of six condiments, including pesto, horseradish, sea salt, red pepper sauce, raisin sauce and garlicky mayonnaise.

—Jerry Shriver

condimental

ˌkän-də-ˈmen-tᵊl 

adjective

Synonyms

• seasoning

Examples of condiment in a Sentence

the cafeteria's self-serve table has a full array of condiments

Recent Examples on the Web

Leading the lineup is the Dragon Flame-Grilled Whopper, a fiery twist on the classic, stacked with crispy bacon, cheese, fresh veggies and classic condiments, all served on a red-and-orange-marbled bun colored with natural spices and veggies to match flames Toothless the dragon would be proud of. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 23 May 2025

According to Ballantyne's calculation, a burger without condiments comes to approximately 430 calories, which is less than what most people need for their evening meal. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025

Burgers piled high with this bright yellow condiment are a staple in Fayetteville, Tennessee. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 14 May 2025

And the signature chipotle honey sauce was inspired by the sweet-and-spicy condiment from Gracias Señor Taqueria, the food truck that for years set up shop in front of the Ralphs in Pacific Palisades. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin condimentum, from condire to season

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

condiment

noun

con·​di·​ment ˈkän-də-mənt 

: something used to give food a good taste

especially : a tangy seasoning

Medical Definition

condiment

noun

con·​di·​ment ˈkän-də-mənt 

: something used to enhance the flavor of food

especially : a pungent seasoning

condimental

ˌkän-də-ˈment-ᵊl 

adjective