aromatic bark used as a spice
"The baker sprinkled cinnamon over the apples before baking them into a fragrant pie."
tropical Asian tree with aromatic yellowish-brown bark; source of the spice cinnamon
"The ancient traders sailed to the distant tropics to harvest the bark from the cinnamon tree, which grows on a small island in Asia."
spice from the dried aromatic bark of the Ceylon cinnamon tree; used as rolled strips or ground
"The chef sprinkled freshly ground cinnamon over the apple pie before baking it."
A small evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka and southern India, Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum zeylanicum, belonging to the family Lauraceae.
"The botanist carefully examined the cinnamon tree growing in the tropical garden to verify its species as Cinnamomum verum."
In plain English: Cinnamon is a popular spice made from dried tree bark that adds a sweet, warm flavor to food and drinks.
"She sprinkled cinnamon on top of her oatmeal to make it taste better."
Usage: Cinnamon refers specifically to the spice derived from the bark of trees native to Sri Lanka and southern India rather than any other plant with a similar flavor profile. Use this term when describing food items that contain this specific warm, sweet-bitter seasoning found in baking or savory dishes like curries.
Containing cinnamon, or having a cinnamon taste.
"The spicy sauce had a distinct cinnamon flavor that warmed the throat."
"The cinnamon colored rug added warmth to the room."
A surname.
"The famous jazz musician Cinnamon played his first solo at the local club last night."
The word cinnamon comes from the Latin cinnamon, which was borrowed from Ancient Greek. The Greeks likely took it from Phoenician, where it originally referred to the spice itself.