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the aromatic seed capsules of a tropical Asian plant, Elettaria cardamomum, of the ginger family, used as a spice or condiment and in medicine.
the plant itself.
a related plant, Amomum compactum, or its seeds, used as a substitute for true cardamom.
Contemporary Examples

Bruise the cardamom pods with the back of a knife to release the seeds, and add to the pan, giving a stir as you do so.
Ham, Green Bean Casserole, Easy Trifle The Daily Beast December 22, 2008

RHUBY is a heady blend of rhubarb, beets, carrots, and cardamom.
Art in the Age: Ex-Ad Man Steven Grasse’s Wonderfully Weird Spirits Jace Lacob August 3, 2012

Eaten all over India, kulfi comes in such flavors as pistachio, cardamom, mango, and saffron.
What to Eat: Indian Dinner Cookstr.com October 26, 2009

Historical Examples

The natives spread over the leaf a little slaked-lime, and place at one end a small piece of areca-nut and cardamom.
Old Jack W.H.G. Kingston

The dish was seasoned with salt, pepper, cardamom, and sumach.
Our Little Turkish Cousin Mary Hazelton Wade

Amomum, a genus of plants, such as the cardamom and grains of paradise, remarkable for their pungency and aromatic properties.
The Nuttall Encyclopaedia Edited by Rev. James Wood

Columbian spirits, caramel, cinnamon and cardamom, and a touch of the buchu.
The Clarion Samuel Hopkins Adams

Today the menu included brown rice, a new selection of vegetables, and cardamom seeds.
Autobiography of a YOGI Paramhansa Yogananda

On the cardamom Hills there may still exist a tribe of dwarfs, of which very little is known.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India Edgar Thurston

At the season of the cardamom crop, they come down to the plains once a week with the produce.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India Edgar Thurston

noun
a tropical Asian zingiberaceous plant, Elettaria cardamomum, that has large hairy leaves
the seeds of this plant, used esp as a spice or condiment
a related East Indian plant, Amomum cardamomum, whose seeds are used as a substitute for cardamom seeds
n.

1550s, from French cardamome, from Latin cardamomum, from Greek kardamomon, from kardamon “cress” (of unknown origin) + amomon “spice plant.” The word was in English from late 14c. in Latin form.