cumin

[ kuhm-uhn, koom-, koo-muhn, kyoo- ]

noun

1. a small plant, Cuminum cyminum, of the parsley family, bearing aromatic, seedlike fruit, used in cooking and medicine.
2. the aromatic fruit or seeds of Cuminum cyminum.

cumin

/ ˈkʌmɪn /

noun

1. an umbelliferous Mediterranean plant, Cuminum cyminum, with finely divided leaves and small white or pink flowers
2. the aromatic seeds (collectively) of this plant, used as a condiment and a flavouring

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumin¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English comyn, cumin (from Old French comin ) from Latin cumīnum, from Greek kýmīnon, from Semitic (compare Arabic kammūn, Hebrew kammōn cumin); replacing Old English cymen from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumin¹

C12: from Old French, from Latin cumīnum, from Greek kuminon, of Semitic origin; compare Hebrew kammōn

Example Sentences

The flavor profile of this marinade is fresh from the cilantro, spicy from the different spices like garlic, coriander and cumin, plus acidic from the lemon juice.

From Salon

Eventually, he settled on the eight most frequently mentioned: desert dates, Yemeni Sidr honey, sycamore figs, Israeli golden raisins, prickly juniper berries, carob fruit, black cumin and frankincense.

From New York Times

I have this spice blend that I love with coriander, cumin and fennel seeds.

From Los Angeles Times

Burrell once described how you wouldn’t use, for example, ground cumin in every single dish you make.

From Salon

I have also prepared this recipe in the past with a savory twist to it, substituting curry powder or cumin for the cinnamon and nutmeg, and adding crumbled bacon or a six-minute egg.

From Seattle Times