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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The state Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday also praised samgyetang, a chicken soup stuffed with ginseng, glutinous rice and jujubes, reporting that Pyongyang restaurants were attracting customers seeking relief from the heat. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026 And like ginseng was supposed to be like this magical supplement that, like, improved health and memory and all sorts of wonderful things. — Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026 Notes of orange, grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon bring a burst of sunny citrus to every lather, while ingredients like vitamin C, chamomile, ginseng, ginger, and vitamin B5 nourish and revitalize the skin. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 6 Aug. 2026 Vegan versions come from sources like ginseng, seaweed, rice or rose and are created through biotechnology to imitate rather than replicate the original molecule. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ginseng

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

Rhymes for ginseng

See All Rhymes for ginseng

Browse Nearby Words

Ginsburg
ginseng
ginseng family
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ginseng.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ginseng. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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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
gin·​seng ˈjin-ˌseŋ How to pronounce ginseng (audio) -ˌsaŋ How to pronounce ginseng (audio) -(ˌ)siŋ How to pronounce ginseng (audio)
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

Nglish: Translation of ginseng for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ginseng

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