Bergamot

//ˈbɝɡəˌmɑt// noun

noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A tree of the orange family (Citrus × limon, syn. Citrus bergamia), having a roundish or pear-shaped fruit, from the rind of which an essential oil of delicious odor is extracted, much prized as a perfume. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    A coarse tapestry, manufactured from flock of cotton or hemp, mixed with ox's or goat's hair. uncountable, usually
  3. 3
    small tree with pear-shaped fruit whose oil is used in perfumery; Italy wordnet
  4. 4
    The fruit from the bergamot tree. countable, uncountable
  5. 5
    The essence or perfume made from the fruit. countable, uncountable
Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    A variety of snuff perfumed with bergamot. countable, uncountable

    "The better hand […] gives the nose its bergamot."

  2. 7
    Either of two plants of the mint family noted for their bergamot-like scent:; Mentha × piperita, nothosubspecies citrata, more commonly known as bergamot mint countable, uncountable
  3. 8
    Either of two plants of the mint family noted for their bergamot-like scent:; Monarda didyma, also known as American bergamot or bee balm. countable, uncountable
  4. 9
    A variety of pear. countable, uncountable

    "One of my Neighbours has a Bergamot Pear Tree, that was brought from England in a Box , about the Year 1643"

Example

More examples

"Bergamot oil may be tested as to its purity by mixing it with alcohol."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From French bergamote, from Italian bergamotta, from Ottoman Turkish بك آرمودی (beg armudu, literally “a lord's pear”), denoting a fattish kind of pear. The European word developed the sense of a fruit of a certain citrus cultivar in the late 17th century.

Etymology 2

From Bergamo.

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.