: a climbing pepper (Piper betle) of southeastern Asia whose leaves are chewed together with betel nut and mineral lime as a stimulant masticatory
Examples of betel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For generations, the community has cultivated betel vines in shaded plots and fished in water bodies scattered across the forested area.
—
Sarita Santoshini, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 June 2023
It is traditionally chewed with an alkaline ingredient, similar to tobacco chewing in the Americas and betel chewing in parts of Asia.
—Gideon Lasco, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2020
Local media report that three paan stores, selling a betel leaf and nut combination that is chewed for its stimulant effect, have been closed to prevent consumers spitting out the remains, plastering walls and sidewalks with unsightly stains.
—Rob Crilly, Washington Examiner, 20 Feb. 2020
In the same vein, it was earlier reported that local paan shops (betel vendors) were shut down, but the local administration in Ahmedabad denied any such move.
—Manavi Kapur, Quartz India, 20 Feb. 2020
Beer cans, cigarettes, and areca nuts wrapped in betel leaves are laid on crumbling roadside walls, folksy cries for good fortune.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2020
From the snack section, try the miang ($14 for four): a tiny, colorful universe of seasonal fruit brunoise, shaved coconut, cured trout roe, julienned makrut lime leaf and fish sauce caramel arranged on betel leaves.
—Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, 14 Nov. 2019
Uncle Boon’s is a place of deep inspiration — amazing betel leaves and eye-wateringly hot banana blossom salad that make both of us hiccup with delight.
—New York Times, 26 Sep. 2019
Dungeness crab sits atop miang kham, little betel leaf wraps; braised pork cheek comes dusted with truffle powder; and prawn cakes get a hit of flavor from local morel mushrooms.
—Fortune, 18 Aug. 2019
Sarita Santoshini, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 June 2023
It is traditionally chewed with an alkaline ingredient, similar to tobacco chewing in the Americas and betel chewing in parts of Asia.
—Gideon Lasco, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2020
Local media report that three paan stores, selling a betel leaf and nut combination that is chewed for its stimulant effect, have been closed to prevent consumers spitting out the remains, plastering walls and sidewalks with unsightly stains.
—Rob Crilly, Washington Examiner, 20 Feb. 2020
In the same vein, it was earlier reported that local paan shops (betel vendors) were shut down, but the local administration in Ahmedabad denied any such move.
—Manavi Kapur, Quartz India, 20 Feb. 2020
Beer cans, cigarettes, and areca nuts wrapped in betel leaves are laid on crumbling roadside walls, folksy cries for good fortune.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2020
From the snack section, try the miang ($14 for four): a tiny, colorful universe of seasonal fruit brunoise, shaved coconut, cured trout roe, julienned makrut lime leaf and fish sauce caramel arranged on betel leaves.
—Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, 14 Nov. 2019
Uncle Boon’s is a place of deep inspiration — amazing betel leaves and eye-wateringly hot banana blossom salad that make both of us hiccup with delight.
—New York Times, 26 Sep. 2019
Dungeness crab sits atop miang kham, little betel leaf wraps; braised pork cheek comes dusted with truffle powder; and prawn cakes get a hit of flavor from local morel mushrooms.
—Fortune, 18 Aug. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'betel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Portuguese bétele, from Tamil veṟṟilai
First Known Use
1553, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing betel
Dictionary Entries Near betel
Cite this Entry
“Betel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betel. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
betel
noun
be·tel
ˈbēt-ᵊl 
: a climbing pepper of southeastern Asia whose dried leaves are chewed together with betel nut and lime to increase the activity of the nervous system
Medical Definition
betel
noun
be·tel
ˈbēt-ᵊl
: a climbing pepper (Piper betle) of southeastern Asia whose leaves are chewed together with betel nut and mineral lime as a stimulant masticatory
More from Merriam-Webster on betel
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about betel
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