marshmallow
noun
marsh·mal·low
ˈmärsh-ˌme-lō 
-ˌma-
1
usually marsh mallow
: a pink-flowered European perennial herb (Althaea officinalis) of the mallow family that is naturalized in the eastern U.S. and has flowers, leaves, and roots used in herbal remedies
2
: a sweet white confection usually in the form of a spread or small spongy cylindrical pieces now usually made from corn syrup, sugar, albumen, and gelatin but formerly from the marshmallow's root
also
: one of these spongy pieces
toasted marshmallows on sticks over a campfire
Examples of marshmallow in a Sentence
We toasted marshmallows over the fire.
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, cucumber, marshmallow root, and calendula flower work together to create soothing hydration, thanks to their anti-inflammatory ingredients.
—
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 2 June 2025
This is giving Swiss Miss with real marshmallows, thank you very much.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 May 2025
Top with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and pecans (if using)
Make Topping
Beat the remaining 2 egg whites on high until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 May 2025
Roughly one-third of the kids held out long enough to earn a second marshmallow.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for marshmallow
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Jenny Berg, Vogue, 2 June 2025
This is giving Swiss Miss with real marshmallows, thank you very much.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 May 2025
Top with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and pecans (if using)
Make Topping
Beat the remaining 2 egg whites on high until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 May 2025
Roughly one-third of the kids held out long enough to earn a second marshmallow.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for marshmallow
Cite this Entry
“Marshmallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marshmallow. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
marshmallow
noun
marsh·mal·low
ˈmärsh-ˌmel-ō
-ˌmal-
1
: a pink-flowered herb related to the mallows that has a root sometimes used in sweets and in medicine
2
: a soft spongy sweet formerly made from the root of the marshmallow but now usually prepared from corn syrup, sugar, albumen, and gelatin
Medical Definition
marshmallow
noun
marsh·mal·low
ˈmärsh-ˌmel-ō, -ˌmel-ə(-w), -ˌmal-
: a European perennial herb of the genus Althaea (A. officinalis) naturalized in the eastern United States whose pink flowers, velvety leaves, and mucilaginous root are used in herbal medicine and whose root was formerly used in confectionary see althaea sense 2
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