marshmallow

noun

marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌme-lō 

-ˌma-

1

usually marsh mallow : a pink-flowered European perennial herb (Althaea officinalis) of the mallow family that is naturalized in the eastern U.S. and has flowers, leaves, and roots used in herbal remedies

2

: a sweet white confection usually in the form of a spread or small spongy cylindrical pieces now usually made from corn syrup, sugar, albumen, and gelatin but formerly from the marshmallow's root

also : one of these spongy pieces

toasted marshmallows on sticks over a campfire

marshmallowy

ˈmärsh-ˌme-lə-wē 

-ˌma-

adjective

Examples of marshmallow in a Sentence

We toasted marshmallows over the fire.

Recent Examples on the Web

Either way, Grandma’s ambrosia salad, made with fresh fruit, coconut flakes, and sometimes mini marshmallows, was always a highlight of holiday gatherings. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024

Our Favorite Christmas Cookies to Make Every Year For the first time in seven years, Chips Ahoy is expected to bring back its Hot Cocoa Chewy cookies for the holidays, featuring chocolate cream in the center and real cocoa powder and marshmallows baked into the cookies. —Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024

Notes: Sea salt, star apple, vanilla crème, marshmallow, passionflower, sheer amber, skin musk, teakwood. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024

In one popular video, a TikTok creator combines butter, marshmallows, Funfetti cake mix, popcorn, and sprinkles in a saucepan on the stove. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

marshmallow

noun

marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌmel-ō 

-ˌmal-

1

: a pink-flowered herb related to the mallows that has a root sometimes used in sweets and in medicine

2

: a soft spongy sweet formerly made from the root of the marshmallow but now usually prepared from corn syrup, sugar, albumen, and gelatin

Medical Definition

marshmallow

noun

marsh·​mal·​low ˈmärsh-ˌmel-ō, -ˌmel-ə(-w), -ˌmal- 

: a European perennial herb of the genus Althaea (A. officinalis) naturalized in the eastern United States whose pink flowers, velvety leaves, and mucilaginous root are used in herbal medicine and whose root was formerly used in confectionary see althaea sense 2