sorghum

noun

sor·​ghum ˈsȯr-gəm 

1

: any of an economically important genus (Sorghum) of Old World tropical grasses similar to corn in habit but with the spikelets in pairs on a hairy rachis

especially : any of various cultivars (such as grain sorghum or sorgo) derived from a wild form (S. bicolor synonym S. vulgare)

2

: syrup from the juice of a sorgo that resembles cane syrup

Illustration of sorghum

• sorghum 1

Examples of sorghum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of two lists from the White House showed that China planned to trim duties on a variety of US agricultural goods including corn, wheat, sorghum, meat, dairy, vegetable oils and meals. — Reuters, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026

Researchers are working to develop perennial versions of common annual grains like wheat, sorghum and rice, but the work is slow. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Try a breakfast porridge made with oats, sorghum, quinoa, or buckwheat. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2026

Adaptable to most any ingredient, it could be sweetened with molasses or sorghum, even maple syrup popular in New England and with Quakers and abolitionists. — Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Italian sorgo, from Vulgar Latin *Syricum (granum), literally, Syrian grain

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sorghum

• grain sorghum
• sweet sorghum

Kids Definition

sorghum

noun

sor·​ghum ˈsȯr-gəm 

1

: any of a genus of Old World tropical grasses that look like corn

especially : one cultivated for grain, forage, or syrup

2

: syrup made from a sorghum