pumpkin spice

noun

variants or less commonly pumpkin pie spice
: a mixture of usually cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and often allspice that is commonly used in pumpkin pie
Pumpkin spice is everywhere, and at this point you simply give in to the pounds you'll potentially gain from all the glorious spreads during the holidays.Chris Scott
By mixing in a few simple ingredients with pumpkin—think vanilla yogurt, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and a sprinkling of graham cracker—you create a velvety pumpkin pie experience in a matter of seconds.Erika Chayes Wida
often used before another noun
It's that time of year again—holiday decorations festoon the lampposts and store windows, the smell of pumpkin spice lattes pervades the air, and the chill of winter has settled in …Lee Hutchinson
With sweet potato pie, the same pumpkin pie spice blend … is used along with the pre-baked crust.WSOCTV.com

Examples of pumpkin spice 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.
While promoting the launch of the pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks, Stewart looked especially fall-ready in a funnel-neck sweater in an autumnal shade. Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 This dessert is a triple-layer pumpkin spice cake that has been dressed up with some cream cheese frosting, creating the perfect blend of sweet and spice. Molly Burford, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026 While there will be pumpkin, don't expect to see pumpkin spice lattes on this menu. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 While the season technically sticks around for a few more weeks, the three-day weekend tends to mark the moment when pool days, backyard barbecues and summer vacations start giving way to football, cooler nights and everything pumpkin spice. Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pumpkin spice

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pumpkin spice was in 1930

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pumpkin spice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pumpkin%20spice. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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