dim sum

noun

ˈdim-ˈsəm 

plural dim sums also dim sum

: traditional Chinese food consisting of a variety of items (such as steamed or fried dumplings, pieces of cooked chicken, and rice balls) served in small portions

Examples of dim sum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For a relaxing post-race stay, check into the Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing, with its award-winning spa (after a massage, consider the tea meditation too) and standout dining options, from Italian to dim sum. —Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2026

Inspired by China’s vast and diverse culinary landscape, the restaurant presents a blend of contemporary and traditional dishes, from dim sum and handcrafted dumplings to shareable regional specialties. —Imelda García, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026

Here is a new year, and to celebrate, the friends and lovers go to a dim sum palace in Flushing. —Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026

Sum Bar Greenville’s first dedicated dim sum restaurant began as a pop-up before opening its brick-and-mortar in 2023. —Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Guangdong) dímsām, from dím dot, speck + sām heart

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dim sum

• become
• checksum
• humdrum
• income
• outcome
• succumb
• therefrom
• wherefrom
• abomasum
• bum
• chum
• come