molasses

noun mo·las·ses \ mə-ˈla-səz \

Definition of molasses

1 : the thick dark to light brown syrup that is separated from raw sugar in sugar manufacture

2 : a syrup made from boiling down sweet vegetable or fruit juice

citrus molasses

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Recent Examples of molasses from the Web

The rhythm section was the key to the track: the drummer laid down a lagging beat, and the bassist played a molasses-slow riff.

— elias leight, Billboard, "CMT Music Awards 2017: All the Performances Ranked From Worst to Best," 7 June 2017
Its chocolate chip cookie has 4 grams of carbs and is made with almond flour, molasses and Stevia, Porcello said.

— gloria casas, Elgin Courier-News, "Downtown Elgin Harvest Market opens for new season," 1 June 2017
This aged rum, newly arrived from the Philippines, is made in small batches with a base of molasses produced from an old strain of sugar cane.

— florence fabricant, New York Times, "A Sipping Rum From the Philippines," 30 May 2017
Over the decades West has been one of the sport's more polarizing umpires, often accused of inserting himself into games, or speaking out on topics like the slow-as-molasses pace of the Yankees-Red Sox matchups.

— paul sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Controversial umpire Joe West closing in on historic baseball milestone," 27 May 2017
Be aware that sugar can hide under names like dextrose, molasses and corn syrup, too.

— kylie hermansen, baltimoresun.com, "Sugar: What's the big deal?," 25 May 2017
Stir in the tomato paste, molasses, sumac, salt and pepper; cook, stirring, for just a few minutes until the eggplant is thoroughly coated but has not completely broken down.

— cathy barrow, The Denver Post, "This party salad happens in a loaf pan," 5 Apr. 2017
Because even though Freeman has played the white-suited puller of strings in Bruce Almighty, and even though his warm-molasses voice is undeniably heavenly, Freeman has a lot of questions about how God actually works.

— National Geographic, "Morgan Freeman on Telling God’s Story," 29 Mar. 2016
Many recipes call for breadcrumbs, onion and pomegranate molasses.

— laura grace weldon, WIRED, "What A Dip: Delicious Dip Recipes for Every Day," 4 Nov. 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'molasses.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of molasses

modification of Portuguese melaço, from Late Latin mellaceum grape juice, from Latin mell-, mel honey — more at mellifluous

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1582

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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MOLASSES Defined for English Language Learners

molasses

noun

Definition of molasses for English Language Learners

: a thick, brown, sweet liquid that is made from raw sugar

MOLASSES Defined for Kids

molasses

noun mo·las·ses \ mə-ˈla-səz \

Definition of molasses for Students

: a thick brown syrup that is made from raw sugar

Learn More about molasses

Spanish Central: Translation of molasses Nglish: Translation of molasses for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of molasses for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about molasses

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molasses

Definition of molasses

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Origin and Etymology of molasses

MOLASSES Defined for English Language Learners

molasses

Definition of molasses for English Language Learners

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molasses

Definition of molasses for Students

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