Meanings
nounmahleb (uncountable)
alternative mahlab · alternative mahaleb
- uncountableA Middle Eastern spice derived from the pit of the mahaleb cherry (Prunus mahaleb)
What makes them [(kahke)] unique is the fragrant mahleb (also spelled mahlab or mahaleb)—a spice ground from wild cherry kernels, with a flavor reminiscent of fresh cherries—elusive, but fruity and very pleasant.
2010, Richard Sax, Classic Home Desserts: A Treasury of Heirloom and Contemporary Recipes, page 287
Origin
- Arabicمَحْلَب“mahaleb cherry”
- Englishmahleb
From Arabic مَحْلَب (maḥlab, “mahaleb cherry”), from حَلَبَ (ḥalaba, “to milk”).
More words from Arabic
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Arabic مَحْلَب
- مَحْلَب (maḥlab)aromatic spice made from cherry stones
Catalan makhlepi
- makhlepiaromatic spice made from cherry stones
Finnish veikselinkirsikka
- veikselinkirsikkaaromatic spice made from cherry stones
French mahaleb
- mahalebaromatic spice made from cherry stones
German Mahlab
- Mahlabaromatic spice made from cherry stones
Greek μαχλέπι
- μαχλέπι (machlépi)aromatic spice made from cherry stones
Hebrew מהלב
- מהלבaromatic spice made from cherry stones
Polish mahlab
- mahlabaromatic spice made from cherry stones
Russian махля́б
- махля́б (maxljáb)aromatic spice made from cherry stones
Turkish mahlep
- mahleparomatic spice made from cherry stones
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
APA
mahleb. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mahleb
MLA
“mahleb.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mahleb. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “mahleb,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mahleb.
Source: mahleb on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.