cinnamon
noun
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.
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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
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 2 Apr. 2024
The medicinal properties of this warm drink include antioxidant-rich black tea, anti-inflammatory cinnamon, throat-coating honey and lemon, and congestion-alleviating bourbon.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
Cook's note: To make Maple-Orange Glaze, in a small saucepan combine ¾ cup maple syrup, ½ cup orange marmalade, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon pepper and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 28 Mar. 2024
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and baking soda.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024
The Cinnabon footlong churro ($2) is topped with Cinnabon’s cinnamon and sugar mix.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
The blend varies, but popular spices include cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, star anise, black pepper and nutmeg.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
But the below products have 1/1000th of the lead found in the cinnamon applesauce made by Austrofoods, which the FDA points out measured between 2,270 to 5,110 parts per million in the cinnamon.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
Over time, Taiwan’s 7-Eleven stores cut the Slurpee and the Big Gulp and focused on local flavors, creating the store’s signature aroma — a potent blend of tea eggs marinated with cinnamon and star anise, fish cakes and roasted sweet potatoes.
—Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Cinnamon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinnamon. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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cinnamon
noun
Medical Definition
cinnamon
noun
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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