poppy seed

noun

: the seed of a poppy used chiefly as a topping or flavoring for baked goods

Examples of poppy seed in a Sentence

Sprinkle poppy seeds on the bread before baking.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cultivated for thousands of years from poppy plants, these small blue-black seeds are showing up everywhere today, from lemon poppy seed muffins and bagels to salad dressings, curries, pastries and trendy wellness recipes shared across social media. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 July 2026 Deer ticks, for example, can range from the size of a pinhead as larvae to a poppy seed in the nymph stage, to a sesame seed as adults. Amanda Roome, The Conversation, 16 July 2026 Bagel lovers can pick from classic varieties like sesame, cinnamon raisin, blueberry and poppy seed. Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026 Kerr gets his wieners from his source in Chicago and serves them on an Engelman poppy seed bun. Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for poppy seed

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poppy seed was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Poppy seed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poppy%20seed. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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