sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me ˈse-sə-mē 

also

ˈse-zə- 

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

2

: open sesame

Illustration of sesame

• sesame 1

Examples of sesame in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond matcha, the café also offers drinks using red bean and black sesame, as well as teas including Sencha, genmaicha green tea and hojicha, a roasted tea. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026

Fresh fusion pastries are also available, like the neri goma cookie, made with stone-ground Japanese black paste with TCHO chocolate chips and golden sesame. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

Multigrain breads often combine several grains like wheat, oats, barley, or millet, with seeds like flax, sunflower, sesame, or pumpkin, but what’s key is whether those ingredients are listed as whole grains, Lorenz says. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 26 July 2026

For mains, guests were given the option of beef tenderloin with beans, sesame, and house-made Sriracha or a separate protein with summer peas and a ginger scallion sauce. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sesame

• open sesame
• sesame oil

Kids Definition

sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me ˈses-ə-mē 

1

: a hairy herb of warm regions that is grown for its seeds

also : its small somewhat flat seeds that are used as a source of oil and to flavor food

2

: open sesame

Medical Definition

sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me

ˈses-ə-mē also ˈsez-

: 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