Illustration of tamarind
tamarind
noun
tam·a·rind
ˈta-mə-rənd 
-ˌrind
1
: an African evergreen tree (Tamarindus indica) of the legume family that is widely grown in tropical regions and has hard yellowish wood, pinnate leaves, red-striped yellow flowers, and an edible fruit
2
: the fruit of the tamarind tree consisting of an oblong brown pod containing 1 to 12 flat seeds embedded in a brownish, sticky, acidic pulp which is used especially in preserves and pastes and to flavor foods and beverages
Examples of tamarind in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After a day in the deep blue, travelers can dine by Al Mouj Marina or replenish themselves with a fresh coconut and Zanzibari-Omani street food at the nearby Seeb souk for dishes flavored with cumin, lime, tamarind, and coconut.
—
Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients – brown sugar, fish sauce, tamarind, and soy sauce.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 24 Dec. 2025
Mexican-style shops lean toward tropical fruits and warm spices like mango, lime, and tamarind, while American ice cream parlors often go for rich, creamy, and candy-studded creations like birthday cake or cookie dough.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
The menu leans into tropical ingredients with standout dishes including crab cakes finished with coconut, lamb lollipops glazed in tamarind, and raw oysters dressed with coconut-lime mignonette and passion fruit.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Dec. 2025
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Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients – brown sugar, fish sauce, tamarind, and soy sauce.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 24 Dec. 2025
Mexican-style shops lean toward tropical fruits and warm spices like mango, lime, and tamarind, while American ice cream parlors often go for rich, creamy, and candy-studded creations like birthday cake or cookie dough.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
The menu leans into tropical ingredients with standout dishes including crab cakes finished with coconut, lamb lollipops glazed in tamarind, and raw oysters dressed with coconut-lime mignonette and passion fruit.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tamarind
Cite this Entry
“Tamarind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tamarind. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tamarind
noun
tam·a·rind
ˈtam-ə-rənd
-rind
: a tropical tree of the legume family that has hard yellowish wood, feathery leaves, and red-striped yellow flowers
also
: its fruit which has a sour pulp used especially for preserves or as a seasoning in cooking
Medical Definition
tamarind
noun
tam·a·rind
ˈtam-ə-rənd, -ˌrind
1
: a tropical leguminous tree (Tamarindus indica) with hard yellowish wood and a fruit with an acid pulp
2
: the pulp of the partially dried ripe fruit of a tamarind used in herbal medicine especially for its laxative properties
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