ginseng

noun

gin·​seng ˈjin-ˌseŋ How to pronounce ginseng (audio) -ˌsiŋ How to pronounce ginseng (audio)
1
a
: a Chinese perennial herb (Panax ginseng synonym P. schinseng of the family Araliaceae, the ginseng family) having five leaflets on each leaf, scarlet berries, and an aromatic root used in herbal medicine especially in eastern Asia
b
: any of several plants related to ginseng
especially : a North American herb (P. quinquefolius)
2
: the root of a ginseng

Illustration of ginseng

Illustration of ginseng
  • 1 root
  • 2 leaves and flowers

Examples of ginseng in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Generally speaking, masks that contain natural extracts, such as ginseng to support the skin barrier and fermented yeast to strengthen skin, are also popular, according to Dr. Lolis. Deanna Pai, Vogue, 9 July 2024 Teas with ginseng, blue lotus, or mugwort may help with inducing sleepiness, Horowitz says, though the effects vary from person to person. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 11 June 2024 There’s a Polaroid camera, prescription medication, ginseng vials, all of these backstage passes throughout all the years. Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024 Some of the surprise ingredients are weird, like Michelle getting ginseng, of which Wisconsin is apparently a top producer, and Danny ending up with chunky bamboo shoots. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ginseng 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ginseng.' 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

Chinese (Beijing) rénshēn

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ginseng was in 1654

Dictionary Entries Near ginseng

Cite this Entry

“Ginseng.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ginseng. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

ginseng

noun
gin·​seng ˈjin-ˌsaŋ How to pronounce ginseng (audio)
-ˌseŋ,
-(ˌ)siŋ
1
: a Chinese herb with small greenish flowers and red berries
also : a closely related herb of North America
2
: the forked fragrant root of the ginseng used especially as a medicine in China

Medical Definition

ginseng

noun
1
a
: a Chinese perennial herb (Panax ginseng synonym P. schinseng of the family Araliaceae, the ginseng family) having 5-foliolate leaves, scarlet berries, and an aromatic root valued especially locally as a medicine
b
: any of several plants (especially genus Panax) related to or used as substitutes for the Chinese ginseng
especially : a North American woodland herb (P. quinquefolius)
2
: the aromatic root of a ginseng that is used in herbal medicine especially in eastern Asia

More from Merriam-Webster on ginseng

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