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cinnamon

noun, often attributive
cin·​na·​mon | \ ˈsi-nə-mən How to pronounce cinnamon (audio) \

Definition of cinnamon

1a : 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 zeylanicum) 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
Other Words from cinnamon Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about cinnamon

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Other Words from cinnamon

cinnamony \ ˈsi-​nə-​mə-​nē How to pronounce cinnamony (audio) \ 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

 Pumpkin Spice topping made with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. — Lauren Saria, azcentral, "Here's what the new Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew really tastes like," 27 Aug. 2019 There's no pumpkin in this pork: It's mixed with cinnamon, clove, allspice and nutmeg, according to the spokesperson. — Scottie Andrew, CNN, "Pumpkin Spice Spam is coming, and you know what? It sounds pretty good," 15 Aug. 2019 Its muted peachy-spice color is a natural in autumn bouquets, and looks like it’s been kissed with cinnamon. — Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, "Plant a Pumpkin Spice Latte-Inspired Garden That Looks Good Enough to Drink," 9 Aug. 2019 The limited edition rolls come filled with Cinnabon cinnamon, and are tinted a light orange color to really drive home the theme. — Hannah Chubb, PEOPLE.com, "Is That You, Fall? Pillsbury Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls Are Back in Stores," 8 Aug. 2019 They're dipped in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. — Natalia E. Contreras, Indianapolis Star, "Your guide to some of the best dishes to try at Carmel's GreekFest," 6 Aug. 2019 Nassif described them as a cross between a cookie and a sugar cone, with cinnamon and vanilla used for flavoring. — Kaitlyn Bancroft, The Know, "Denver teen entrepreneurs create an edible solution to messy ice cream cones," 5 Aug. 2019 Top, if desired, with ground cinnamon and about 1 teaspoon sugar. — Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, "This plummy dessert takes the cake," 26 July 2019 Carley Cobin has also whipped a special Tuxedo Junction wine sauce reduced with cinnamon, sugar, and lemon juice. — Shauna Stuart | Sstuart@al.com, al.com, "Wine ice cream? Corbin Farms Winery and Burnette Farms Market are making it happen," 5 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cinnamon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of cinnamon

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

History and Etymology for cinnamon

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

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More Definitions for cinnamon

cinnamon

noun
How to pronounce cinnamon (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of cinnamon

: a sweet spice made from the bark of an Asian tree and used in cooking and baking

See the full definition for cinnamon in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cinnamon

noun
cin·​na·​mon | \ ˈsi-nə-mən How to pronounce cinnamon (audio) \

Kids Definition of cinnamon

: a spice that is made from the fragrant bark of a tropical Asian tree and is used especially in cooking and baking

cinnamon

noun, often attributive
cin·​na·​mon | \ ˈsin-ə-mən How to pronounce cinnamon (audio) \

Medical Definition of cinnamon

1 : any of several Asian trees of the genus Cinnamomum
2a : 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.

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