sake

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsāk 

1

: end, purpose

for the sake of argument

2

a

: the good, advantage, or enhancement of some entity (such as an ideal)

free to pursue learning for its own sake

—M. S. Eisenhower

b

: personal or social welfare, safety, or benefit

sake

2 of 2

noun (2)

sa·​ke ˈsä-kē 

variants or saki

: a Japanese alcoholic beverage of fermented rice often served hot

Examples of sake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Women’s stories can often be sidelined for the sake of historical accuracy. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

The timing of the arrest led to criticism that Jarecki, his producers and HBO had delayed sharing incriminating discoveries with law enforcement officials for the sake of the series and ratings. —Addie Morfoot, Variety, 21 Apr. 2024

Now, Swift is sharing more intimate moments of her life with the NFL tight end for the sake of album promo. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Apr. 2024

If so, any life hacks for making fewer enemies while still being a reasonably sincere version of yourself, for the sake of sanity alone? —Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024

In the wake of the zoo’s report and an uptick in public attention to avian welfare, New York lawmakers renewed local pushes to pass legislation for birds’ sake. —Lauren Oster, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024

Many of them think the government is sacrificing their daughters for the sake of stability, to appease Boko Haram, an accusation that Governor Zulum denied. —Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024

Festival food includes sushi, spam musubi, gyoza, yakisoba, mochi, teriyaki chicken rice bowls, shave ice, cotton candy and bento boxes with pork cutlet, teriyaki salmon or sesame tofu, with iced coffee, boba drinks, beer, sake, plum wine, sodas and lemonade to wash it all down. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024

Instead, Maldivians are leaving the islands for the sake of their children, looking to Malé and the world beyond. —Maahil Mohamed Elke Scholiers, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, dispute, guilt, purpose, from Old English sacu guilt, action at law; akin to Old High German sahha action at law, cause, Old English sēcan to seek — more at seek

Noun (2)

Japanese sake

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1682, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sake

• art for art's sake
• for goodness' sake
• for heaven's sake
• for old times' sake
• for simplicity's sake
• for the sake of appearances
• for the sake of it
• for the sake of simplicity
• just for the sake of it

Kids Definition

sake

1 of 2 noun

ˈsāk 

1

: goal sense 2, purpose

for the sake of argument

2

: the good of something : advantage

the sake of our country

sake

2 of 2 noun

sa·​ke

variants or saki

ˈsäk-ē 

: a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice

Etymology

Noun

Old English sacu "guilt, legal action"

Noun

Japanese