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

Some of the treats have ingredients found outside traditional French pastry preparation, including ube, black sesame, hojicha, Earl Grey and ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Japan. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025

Available in black, white, sesame, malted milkshake, and woodland colors, the Aiden is 20% off for Cyber Monday. —Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025

The others are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, soybeans and sesame. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

The brand produces a mix of frozen and ready-to-eat food items (such as dumplings and potstickers), ramen noodles, sauces (such as chili crunch and black vinegar sauce) and even sweet treats like black sesame dessert dumplings and ice creams, including rose lychee and jasmine green tea. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025

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