benne

noun

ben·​ne ˈbe-nē How to pronounce benne (audio)
variants or less commonly bene

Examples of benne in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Our not-too-sweet shortbread spiral cookie is made from two doughs, one flavored with chocolate and one flavored with the nutty, buttery benne seeds. Omar Tate, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2024 Monsour leans in with the playful touches: a smashburger slicked with Duke’s mayo sweetened with maple syrup and cinnamon, avocado toast dressed with cucumber-mint salsa and whizzed with drizzles of benne tahini. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Proceed with recipe as directed in Steps 2 and 3, rolling dough logs in 1/3 cup benne seeds before wrapping and chilling. Paige Grandjean, Southern Living, 24 Dec. 2023 This cookie showcases the flavor of benne seeds, or their alternative, sesame seeds. Joy Howard, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023 Garnish with benne seeds. Whitney Otawka, Country Living, 17 Mar. 2021 Stews and soups may be thickened with benne seeds, an heirloom version of sesame seeds brought over on slave ships. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 29 Jan. 2023 Be sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder; swapping out the benne seeds with sesame seeds and maple sugar with light brown sugar is fine. Nicole Taylor, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Oct. 2021 Low country hurricane popcorn with Old Bay, cayenne, benne seed, popped sorghum berries and nori. Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic, 2 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

of African origin; akin to Malinke bĕne sesame

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of benne was in 1769

Dictionary Entries Near benne

Cite this Entry

“Benne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benne. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

benne

noun
ben·​ne
variants or bene
: sesame

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