tamarind

noun

tam·​a·​rind ˈta-mə-rənd How to pronounce tamarind (audio)
-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

Illustration of tamarind

Illustration of tamarind

Examples of tamarind in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One such kitchen is home to Lotus and Lime, a fast-casual concept that launched locally recently, serving up bowls featuring flavors from Thailand and Vietnam like ginger, lime, tamarind and fresh herbs. Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026 Nearby, a small, colorful port named after her sister, Elizabeth, remains flanked by frangipani, bougainvillea, and tamarind trees. Elena Clavarino, Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for tamarind

Word History

Etymology

Spanish & Portuguese tamarindo, from Arabic tamr hindī, literally, Indian date

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tamarind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tamarind. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

tamarind

noun
tam·​a·​rind ˈtam-ə-rənd How to pronounce tamarind (audio)
-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 How to pronounce tamarind (audio)
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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