gingerbread

noun

gin·​ger·​bread ˈjin-jər-ˌbred How to pronounce gingerbread (audio)
1
: a cake whose ingredients include molasses and ginger
2
[from the fancy shapes and gilding formerly often applied to gingerbread] : lavish or superfluous ornament especially in architecture
gingerbread adjective
gingerbreaded adjective
gingerbready adjective

Examples of gingerbread in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The cafe and micro-bakery Hygge is known for its fun and ever-changing specials, like croissants with gingerbread and caramel or coconut cream with licorice and raspberry meringue. Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2024 Mean Girls' Gretchen Wieners) plays a struggling baker who enters a gingerbread competition. EW.com, 11 Dec. 2023 The peppered gingerbread and smoked marshmallow scent gives the warm, cozy feeling of pulling fresh cookies out of the oven without all of the work. Anne Cruz, Bon Appétit, 11 Dec. 2023 Better Homes & Gardens Full Size Warmer Gingerbread House This detailed gingerbread house looks great as part of your holiday decor even when it’s not turned on. Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2023 The signature Sippin’ Santa, with spicy aged Demerara rum, brings seasonal flavors with gingerbread, lemon and orange. Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2023 Over the years, the designs for the gingerbread White House have gotten more unique and elaborate. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 25 Dec. 2023 Below, sommeliers share a few of their wine and Christmas cookie pairings, including Linzer cookies and rosé, gingerbread and Riesling, and peanut butter blossoms and Moscatel. Jillian Dara, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 Your Questions, Answered How long do gingerbread houses last? Jessica Booth, Parents, 19 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gingerbread.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gingerbread was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near gingerbread

Cite this Entry

“Gingerbread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gingerbread. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

gingerbread

noun
gin·​ger·​bread ˈjin-jər-ˌbred How to pronounce gingerbread (audio)
1
: a cake made with molasses and flavored with ginger
2
: showy ornamentation especially in architecture
gingerbread adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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