Definition of akami
: the lean, reddish flesh from along the spine of the tuna that is used especially for sushi and sashimi When preparing this sushi at home, the choice of tuna is nearly always the akami, the nonfatty red meat, because of its availability and reasonable price. — Hiroko Shimbo, The Sushi Experience, 2006
From the M-W Editors
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Origin and Etymology of akami
borrowed from Japanese, literally, “lean meat,” from aka “red” + mi “body, flesh, meat”
First Known Use: 1974
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up akami? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!