# horseradish

/ˈhɔɹsˌɹædɪʃ/ (US) · /hˈɔːsɹɐdˌɪʃ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/horseradish
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

a plant with a thick, white root that has a very strong and spicy taste. It is usually grated and made into a sauce to eat with meat or fish.

For teachers: a hardy perennial plant of the mustard family, Armoracia rusticana, cultivated for its pungent root. The root is typically grated and combined with vinegar to create a condiment that releases volatile oils, causing a sharp heat in the nasal passages.

## Examples

- I like to put a little horseradish on my roast beef.
- The chef prepared a fresh horseradish sauce to accompany the smoked salmon, providing a sharp contrast to the rich fish.
- Unlike chili peppers, which burn the tongue, the heat of horseradish is felt primarily in the sinuses due to the presence of allyl isothiocyanate.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the condiment or the flavor; countable when referring to the individual plant or root.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.