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Nutmeg is native to the Moluccas, Indonesian islands in the Malay Archipelago of Southeast Asia. The word nutmeg, however, comes from Old Occitan, a Romance language spoken in southern France during the latter half of the Middle Ages. Old Occitan "noz muscada" combines "noz" ("nut"), from Latin nuc-, nux, with "muscada," a feminine form of muscat, meaning "musky." The history of "muscat" can in turn be traced back through Late Latin, Greek, and Middle Persian to a Sanskrit word meaning "mouse."
Examples of nutmeg in a Sentence
Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 30 Dec. 2025
Vanilla, nutmeg, and toasted pecans roll through the palate before a dry, minty finish reminds you this is a sip-slow artisan whiskey.
—Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 30 Dec. 2025
With both nutmeg and bourbon in the batter, this cake is a cozy winter delight.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Today, eggnog typically blends milk, cream, sugar, eggs, a sprinkle of nutmeg and, traditionally, a bit of alcohol (like bourbon or brandy), says Lona Sandon, an associate professor and program director at the Department of Clinical Nutrition at UT Southwestern.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nutmeg
Cite this Entry
“Nutmeg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nutmeg. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nutmeg
noun
Medical Definition
nutmeg
noun
called also myristica
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