saffron

noun

saf·​fron ˈsa-ˌfrän  -frən 

1

a

: the deep orange aromatic pungent dried stigmas of a purple-flowered crocus (Crocus sativus) used to color and flavor foods and formerly as a dyestuff and in medicine

b

: the crocus supplying saffron

2

: a moderate orange to orange yellow

Examples of saffron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At its heart are saffron and rose notes blended with smoky vetiver and earthy cypriol. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

According to Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist at Oxford University, natural dyes—yellow from saffron and egg yolks, green from crushed plants, red from sandalwood—became especially popular in the Middle Ages. —Shayla Love, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025

My family comes from Iran, which means that saffron was added to almost every food in our home, from rice to dessert. —Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 1 Aug. 2025

Try adding saffron threads to soups, rice dishes, and drinks like lattes, or add a small amount of ground saffron to baked goods like cakes and muffins. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French saffron, safren, from Medieval Latin safranum, from Arabic zaʽfarān

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing saffron

• meadow saffron

Kids Definition

saffron

noun

saf·​fron ˈsaf-rən 

1

: the orange usually powdered dried stigmas of a purple-flowered crocus that are used especially to color or flavor foods

2

: an orange to orange yellow color

Medical Definition

saffron

noun

saf·​fron ˈsaf-rän  -rən 

1

: the deep orange aromatic pungent dried stigmas of a purple-flowered crocus used to color and flavor foods and formerly as a dyestuff and as a stimulant antispasmodic emmenagogue in medicine

2

: a purple-flowered crocus (Crocus sativa) that is the source of saffron

called also saffron crocus