1 sesame | Definition of sesame

sesame

noun
ses·​a·​me | \ ˈse-sÉ™-mÄ“ also ˈse-zÉ™- How to pronounce sesame (audio) \

Definition of sesame

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

Illustration of sesame

Illustration of sesame

sesame 1

Examples of sesame in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Brush tops of buns with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Kristen Farmer Hall, al, "Learn to make brioche and shortbread from a local baker," 27 Aug. 2019 Stir in the chicken, carrots, peas, celery, rice, cilantro and sesame seeds, coating everything with the sauce and distributing the vegetables evenly through the mixture. Cathy Barrow, The Denver Post, "The good old cabbage roll turns over a new leaf," 26 Aug. 2019 Around the lettuce, arrange separate piles of fried garlic, split peas, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, tomato and jalapeño. Tara Duggan, SFChronicle.com, "Recipe: Burma Superstar’s Tea Leaf Salad," 21 Aug. 2019 Which is to say, somewhere amidst the crushed sesame seed buns, asymmetrical lettuce distribution, great globs of mayo and sad hot-house tomatoes, there was, indeed, something brownish gray that tasted like meat. al, "Let’s get real about fake meat," 14 Aug. 2019 What makes Sussman’s recipe particularly appealing for a crunch fan like me is its seasoned blend of panko and roasted sesame seeds. Bonnie S. Benwick, The Denver Post, "Need a golden brown chicken schnitzel that’s crispy without being greasy? This is it.," 14 Aug. 2019 What makes Sussman’s recipe particularly appealing for a crunch fan like me is its seasoned blend of panko and roasted sesame seeds. Bonnie S. Benwick, Washington Post, "Need a golden brown chicken schnitzel that’s crispy without being greasy? This is it.," 13 Aug. 2019 Light and flaky wafers coated in chocolate and sesame seeds made by the Indonesian brand Deka can’t be recommended highly enough. Paul Stephen, ExpressNews.com, "Go back to school with a global snack in your pack from Universal Yums," 7 Aug. 2019 Arrange some of the of the kale stem salsa on the far side of the mackerel (between the fish and the rim of the plate) and garnish with the flowers, lemon slices and sesame seeds. Michael A. Gardiner, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Unrushed rice is key to success with homemade sushi," 6 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sesame.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sesame

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for sesame

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

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More Definitions for sesame

sesame

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sesame

: a plant that is grown in warm regions and that produces small flat seeds that are used in cooking and as a source of oil

sesame

noun
ses·​a·​me | \ ˈses-É™-mÄ“ also ˈsez-\

Medical Definition of sesame

: 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

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More from Merriam-Webster on sesame

Spanish Central: Translation of sesame

Nglish: Translation of sesame for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of sesame for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sesame