The word mint has several meanings:

1. A plant with fragrant leaves that taste cool and fresh. Mint grows easily in gardens and is used to flavor foods like chewing gum, toothpaste, ice cream, and tea. Peppermint and spearmint are the most common types. If you've ever had a candy cane, you've tasted mint.
2. A place where a country makes its coins and sometimes paper money. The United States Mint produces all American coins, stamping designs into metal blanks and ensuring each penny, nickel, dime, and quarter meets exact standards. Countries guard their mints carefully since they literally make money there.
3. A piece of candy flavored with mint, often eaten after a meal to freshen breath. Many restaurants offer mints near the exit.
4. As an adjective, mint condition means something is perfect, like new, without any damage or wear. A collector might pay extra for a baseball card in mint condition, meaning it looks exactly as it did when first printed.
5. To create or produce something new, especially coins or words. A government mints coins. Someone might mint a new phrase that catches on and enters common speech.