cheesecake

noun

cheese·​cake ˈchēz-ˌkāk 

1

: a dessert consisting of a creamy filling usually containing cheese baked in a pastry or pressed-crumb shell

2

: a photographic display of shapely and scantily clothed female figures

—often used attributively compare beefcake

Examples of cheesecake in a Sentence

advertisers who rely on cheesecake to sell products

Recent Examples on the Web

From fun, quirky dips to sweet, tangy cake frostings and cheesecakes to cheesy sausage balls, cream cheese runs the gamut from sweet to savory Southern recipes. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

This delicious cheesecake is silky-smooth, with a golden top and a buttery graham crust. —Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025

New desserts inspired by Barry’s years working in restaurants include a New York-style cheesecake and a Southern-style banana pudding revised to appeal to West Coast palates. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025

Desserts are $14 and include a flourless chocolate cake, cheesecake with raspberry coulis and vanilla Affogato supreme, which blends Italian gelato with a double espresso. —Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cheesecake

• overtake
• rattlesnake
• shiitake
• undertake
• wapentake
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik

Kids Definition

cheesecake

noun

cheese·​cake -ˌkāk 

: a cake made from cream cheese or cottage cheese, eggs, and sugar