Ingredient: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：component in cooking (ingredient)

ingredient 🔊

/ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/

One of the different foods that you mix together when you are cooking a particular dish.

Ingredient illustration: fresh salad components like tomato and lettuce on a cutting board.

component in cooking 🔊

➕

/kəmˈpoʊnənt ɪn ˈkʊkɪŋ/

A single food item that is mixed with others to prepare a specific dish.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ingrediens' (entering), from 'in-' (into) + 'gradi' (to step).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'IN' for entering and 'GRED' like 'greed' for parts; ingredients are parts that go into something.

📖 Example

Before starting to bake the cake, she made sure she had all the necessary ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, lined up on the kitchen counter. 🔊 She ensured all the required cooking components were prepared on the counter before baking the cake.

🔗 Collocations

key ingredient – the most important component in a recipe

main ingredient – the primary component used in a dish

secret ingredient – a special component that gives a unique flavor

🔄 Synonyms

component (n.) – a part or element of a larger whole

element (n.) – a fundamental or essential part

constituent (n.) – a component part of something

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'ingrediens', used in medieval Latin for elements that 'enter into' a mixture, evolving to denote components in cooking and other compositions.

Meaning 2：essential part (ingredient)

ingredient 🔊

/ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/

One of the parts of something that is needed to make it complete or successful.

essential part 🔊

➕

/ɪˈsɛnʃəl pɑːrt/

A necessary element that contributes to the completeness or success of a larger entity.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Trust is a vital ingredient in any strong friendship or successful team. 🔊 Trust is a crucial component for any durable friendship or effective team.

🔗 Collocations

vital ingredient – a critically important element for success

essential ingredient – a necessary component that cannot be omitted

key ingredient – the most significant part contributing to success

🔄 Synonyms

element (n.) – a basic part that contributes to a whole

component (n.) – a part that combines with others to form something

factor (n.) – a circumstance that contributes to a result