1
a(1)
: a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes medicinally
(2)
: the spice usually prepared by drying and grinding ginger
b
: any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes
especially
: a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale) that supplies most commercial ginger compare wild ginger
2
: pep
the ginger to … work hard—
Willa Cather
Willa Cather3
a
: a light reddish or reddish-brown color
ginger hair
b
chiefly British, sometimes offensive
: a person with red hair : redhead sense 1
The Breda Redhead Days festival—which grew out of a photo shoot by Dutch artist Bart Rouwenhorst—now attracts five or six thousand gingers from around the world.—Bruce Ingram
Bruce Ingram
gingered; gingering
ˈjin-jə-riŋ 
ˈjinj-
: to make lively : pep up
ginger up the tourist trade—The New York Times
The New York Times
Synonyms
Examples of ginger in a Sentence
Noun
The recipe calls for a teaspoon of ginger.
a 60-year-old with the ginger to consider skydiving lessons
Recent Examples on the WebMichael Klein, Philly.com, 19 July 2017
Slice banana bread diagonally and place on top of ginger crème anglaise.
—Nancy Miller, The Courier-Journal, 4 July 2017
Their line of cans range from a spicy ginger-beer and rum to a gin and tonic infused with crisp cucumber and grapefruit.
—Hillary Eaton, Fortune, 17 June 2017
Their Tung Po pork belly arrives in the petite lidded pot it’s cooked in, kept warm over a candle that continues to thicken and caramelize the dark, ginger and soy sauce.
—Providence Cicero, The Seattle Times, 15 June 2017
Raw, berry-sized Thai eggplants are snappy, slightly bitter surprises in an earthy green short rib curry, with extra layers of flavor from ginger-like finger root and basil.
—Jodi Mailander Farrell, miamiherald, 29 June 2017
Signature menu items include a lobster and avocado salad, served with a miso-ginger dressing, and a strip steak.
—Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, 26 June 2017
Preparation
Process shallot, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, jalapeño, coriander, cumin, ½ cup cilantro, and 1 Tbsp.
—Bon Appetit, 26 June 2017
The vegetable is salted and then usually rubbed with chili powder, garlic, ginger and scallions.
—Anna Fifield, Washington Post, 22 June 2017
Jon Goodwin, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2022
The sweet and tangy flavors of orange, honey and ginger coat the chicken for a quick, savory dinner.
—cleveland, 20 Dec. 2022
This formulation is plant-based and contains rich nutrients like biotin, clary oil, caffeine, castor, camellia, and ginger root oil.
—Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 Dec. 2022
In addition to Clooney's concoctions, reception-goers were treated to ginger beverages — a nod to Harry's famous red locks.
—Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2022
Top notes of juniper berries, ginger essential oil and norenal round out the modern scent.
—Dallas News, 4 Oct. 2022
Redness doesn't stand a chance against Biossance's Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer, a gel-cream packed with red seaweed and ginger extract to soothe irritation and rosacea.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 12 Oct. 2022
Its flavor is similar to ginger but with a fresh, citrusy punch.
—Kelsey Ogletree, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2022
For a flavor variation, replace the cardamom and ginger with 1 teaspoon chai spice.
—Aleksandra Crapanzano, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2022
See More
Noun
Mixmaster Charles Griffin’s uses Pimm’s No. 1, lemonade, fruits and club soda, vs. the more familiar 7Up or ginger ale.
—Michael Klein, Philly.com, 19 July 2017
Slice banana bread diagonally and place on top of ginger crème anglaise.
—Nancy Miller, The Courier-Journal, 4 July 2017
Their line of cans range from a spicy ginger-beer and rum to a gin and tonic infused with crisp cucumber and grapefruit.
—Hillary Eaton, Fortune, 17 June 2017
Their Tung Po pork belly arrives in the petite lidded pot it’s cooked in, kept warm over a candle that continues to thicken and caramelize the dark, ginger and soy sauce.
—Providence Cicero, The Seattle Times, 15 June 2017
Raw, berry-sized Thai eggplants are snappy, slightly bitter surprises in an earthy green short rib curry, with extra layers of flavor from ginger-like finger root and basil.
—Jodi Mailander Farrell, miamiherald, 29 June 2017
Signature menu items include a lobster and avocado salad, served with a miso-ginger dressing, and a strip steak.
—Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, 26 June 2017
Preparation
Process shallot, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, jalapeño, coriander, cumin, ½ cup cilantro, and 1 Tbsp.
—Bon Appetit, 26 June 2017
The vegetable is salted and then usually rubbed with chili powder, garlic, ginger and scallions.
—Anna Fifield, Washington Post, 22 June 2017
Verb
The specific natural ingredients that are included within this supplement are golden Golden Algae, dika nut, drumstick tree leaf, bigarade orange, ginger rhizome and turmeric rhizome.
—Jon Goodwin, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2022
The sweet and tangy flavors of orange, honey and ginger coat the chicken for a quick, savory dinner.
—cleveland, 20 Dec. 2022
This formulation is plant-based and contains rich nutrients like biotin, clary oil, caffeine, castor, camellia, and ginger root oil.
—Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 Dec. 2022
In addition to Clooney's concoctions, reception-goers were treated to ginger beverages — a nod to Harry's famous red locks.
—Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2022
Top notes of juniper berries, ginger essential oil and norenal round out the modern scent.
—Dallas News, 4 Oct. 2022
Redness doesn't stand a chance against Biossance's Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer, a gel-cream packed with red seaweed and ginger extract to soothe irritation and rosacea.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 12 Oct. 2022
Its flavor is similar to ginger but with a fresh, citrusy punch.
—Kelsey Ogletree, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2022
For a flavor variation, replace the cardamom and ginger with 1 teaspoon chai spice.
—Aleksandra Crapanzano, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ginger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, alteration of Old English gingifer, from Medieval Latin gingiber, alteration of Latin zingiber, from Greek zingiberi, of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Pali siṅgivēra ginger
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
1844, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of ginger was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing ginger
Articles Related to ginger
Dictionary Entries Near ginger
Cite this Entry
“Ginger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ginger. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
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Kids Definition
ginger
noun
gin·ger
ˈjin-jər
1
a
: a thick underground plant stem that is used especially to make a spice
b
: a spice prepared by drying and grinding ginger
2
: any of a genus of Old World herbs that have thick underground stems and include one supplying most of the ginger used as a spice
3
: high spirit : pep
gingery
adjective
ˈjinj-(ə-)rē
Medical Definition
ginger
noun
gin·ger
ˈjin-jər
1
a
: a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes in medicine
b
: the spice usually prepared by drying and grinding ginger
2
: any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes
especially
: a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale) that supplies most of the ginger of commerce
More from Merriam-Webster on ginger
Nglish: Translation of ginger for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of ginger for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ginger
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