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

Chia seeds, sesame seeds, and hazelnuts contain similar proteins. —Carley Millhone, Health, 23 Dec. 2025

Left Arrow Right Arrow The viral carrot ribbon salad is made with sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, sesame seeds, green onions, grated garlic, soy sauce and chili crisp oil. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025

Add some sesame seeds and toss through. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025

In 2025 Washington State enacted a new regulation requiring boats to stay at least 1,000 yards away from the southern residents; at that distance a whale tail looks smaller than a sesame seed. —Kelso Harper, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 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