curcumin

noun

cur·​cu·​min ˈkər-kyə-mən How to pronounce curcumin (audio)
: an orange-yellow crystalline compound C21H20O6 that constitutes the chief coloring principle of turmeric

Examples of curcumin 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.
Turmeric Turmeric is a brightly-colored spice that contains a pigment called curcumin. Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 June 2025 Not only was the drink ultra-concentrated; the pills contained 2,250 mg of curcumin, a substance that comes from the root of the turmeric plant. Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 27 May 2025 Turmeric Research shows the compound curcumin in turmeric may positively affect weight. Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025 To help, her husband, John Briggs, created a spreadsheet with rows for ashwagandha, Omega-3 and curcumin extract. Lindsay Gellman, New York Times, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for curcumin

Word History

Etymology

French curcumine, from curcum- (from New Latin Curcuma, the turmeric plant, from Arabic kurkum) + -ine -in entry 1

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curcumin was in 1850

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Cite this Entry

“Curcumin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curcumin. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

curcumin

noun
cur·​cu·​min ˈkər-kyə-mən How to pronounce curcumin (audio)
: an orange-yellow crystalline compound C21H20O6 that constitutes the chief coloring principle of turmeric
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