wasabi

noun

wa·​sa·​bi wä-ˈsä-bē How to pronounce wasabi (audio)
wə-ˈsä-;
ˈwä-sə-bē How to pronounce wasabi (audio)
1
: a condiment that is prepared from the ground thick pungent greenish rhizome of an Asian herb (Eutrema japonicum synonym Wasabia japonica) of the mustard family and is similar in flavor and use to horseradish
also : the rhizome
2
: the herb that yields wasabi

Examples of wasabi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sashimi appetizers include hamachi jalapeno with ponzu and chimichurri; salmon carpaccio with passion fruit shiso and cripsy onion; and tuna carpaccio with garlic oil and wasabi. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025 The Elphaba Caramel Apple cereal is bright green and looks, frankly, like a wasabi pea. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 Shizuoka, between Tokyo and Nagoya, is known for its surrounding rural and agricultural areas that grow tea and wasabi plants. Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 2 Sep. 2025 Akoya, however, uses real wasabi and mixes it into a paste with other ingredients. Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wasabi

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wasabi was in 1891

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wasabi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wasabi. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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