sake

1 of 2

noun (1)

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 sakeM. S. Eisenhower
b
: personal or social welfare, safety, or benefit

sake

2 of 2

noun (2)

sa·​ke ˈsä-kē How to pronounce sake (audio)
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
And in thinking through the grimy ethics of what these kinds of journalists sometimes have to do (extract confidences and then betray them, essentially committing private harms for the sake of an abstract Public Good). Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 These ad hominem attacks were essentially irrelevant to the awards, snuck in only for the sake of a lazy gag. Fran Hoepfner, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2024 Many of these characters are invented, blended together or substantially altered for the sake of a streamlined narrative. Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 Many of these de-influencers made their mistakes for the sake of content. Thomas Germain / Gizmodo, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 One day — perhaps not immediately, but soon — Priscilla will be seen as a touchstone for what women were once made to endure for the sake of public perception. Yolanda MacHado, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024 The new website is reminiscent of a previous version for the sake of familiarity and to cut costs, new Chief Appraiser Joe Don Bobbitt said. Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 His therapist had initially advised him not to, for the sake of his mental health. Becky Sullivan, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can learn about the history of sake and sample various brands for $50 ($25 for members) or purchase $20 tickets for the beer and sake garden. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sake.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sake was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near sake

Cite this Entry

“Sake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sake. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sake

1 of 2 noun
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
: a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice
Etymology

Noun

Old English sacu "guilt, legal action"

Noun

Japanese

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