in ‧ gre ‧ di ‧ ent /ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: present participle of ingredi , from gradi 'to go' ]
1 . one of the foods that you use to make a particular food or dish:
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
The food is home-cooked using fresh ingredients.
2 . a quality you need to achieve something:
John has all the ingredients of a great player.
Investment in new product development is an essential ingredient of corporate success.
3 . active ingredient the substance in a product such as a medicine that causes the product’s intended result:
Acetic acid is the chief active ingredient in vinegar.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ fresh
All the ingredients we use are fresh, and bought locally.
▪ natural
We use only natural ingredients in our products.
▪ artificial
Nowadays much of what we eat contains artificial ingredients.
▪ the main ingredient
The main ingredient of the sauce is tomatoes.
▪ a basic ingredient (=an important ingredient)
This mixture of spices is a basic ingredient of the curry sauce.
▪ the remaining ingredients (=the ingredients that are added later when you are preparing a dish)
Add all of the remaining ingredients and mix well.
■ verbs
▪ use ingredients
Many recipes in this book use Chinese ingredients.
▪ combine the ingredients (=mix them together)
Combine all the ingredients to form a smooth dough.
▪ add ingredients
Add the other ingredients and stir thoroughly.
▪ stir in/mix in ingredients (=add them by stirring or mixing)
Heat the sauce gently, then stir in the remaining ingredients.
■ phrases
▪ a list of ingredients
You should check the list of ingredients on fruit juice cartons.