sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me ˈse-sə-mē How to pronounce sesame (audio)
also
ˈse-zə- How to pronounce sesame (audio)
1
: a widely cultivated chiefly tropical or subtropical annual erect herb (Sesamum indicum of the family Pedaliaceae)
also : its small seeds used especially as a source of oil and a flavoring agent
2

Illustration of sesame

Illustration of sesame
  • sesame 1

Examples of sesame 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.
Kraft’s take on everything bagel seasoning has garlic and onion powder plus poppy seeds but doesn’t contain sesame seeds commonly found in other iterations. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024 The oil is beautifully fragranced with jasmine, mandarin, and imperious amber and is also highly nourishing due to its formulation—containing sesame, apricot, and coconut oils. Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 Allergens can cause serious and sometimes deadly reactions, and the nine major allergens—peanuts, wheat, milk, tree nuts, soy, egg, crustaceans (shellfish), fish and sesame—are all required by law to be clearly marked on all products. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024 Use sesame, focaccia or white bread in place of the sourdough. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sesame 

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier sesam, sesama, from Latin sesamum, sesama, from Greek sēsamon, sēsamē, of Semitic origin; akin to Akkadian šamaššamu sesame

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sesame was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sesame

Cite this Entry

“Sesame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sesame. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sesame

noun
ses·​a·​me ˈses-ə-mē How to pronounce sesame (audio)
1
: a hairy herb of warm regions that is grown for its seeds
also : its small somewhat flat seeds that are used as a source of oil and to flavor food
2

Medical Definition

sesame

noun
ses·​a·​me
ˈses-ə-mē also ˈsez-
: a widely cultivated annual erect herb (Sesamum indicum synonym S. orientale of the family Pedaliaceae)
also : its small somewhat flat seeds used as a source of sesame oil and a flavoring agent

More from Merriam-Webster on sesame

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