sake

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsāk 

1

: end, purpose

for the sake of argument

2

a

: the good, advantage, or enhancement of some entity (such as an ideal)

… free to pursue learning for its own sake.

—M. S. Eisenhower

b

: personal or social welfare, safety, or benefit

sake

2 of 2

noun (2)

sa·​ke ˈsä-kē 

variants or saki

: a Japanese alcoholic beverage of fermented rice often served hot

Examples of sake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, for example, established colonial spheres of influence for the sake of preferential trade, with Britain’s region of control spanning the Malay Peninsula and Singapore, while the Dutch received control of the Riau-Lingga islands south of the Strait of Malacca. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Expand with intent, not just for growth’s sake. —Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2025

Ending production seems like an easy call for efficiency’s sake. —Nancy Forster-Holt, The Conversation, 20 Nov. 2025

Nearly all of the classic Thanksgiving desserts are make-ahead, so for heaven’s sakes get an early start! —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, dispute, guilt, purpose, from Old English sacu guilt, action at law; akin to Old High German sahha action at law, cause, Old English sēcan to seek — more at seek

Noun (2)

Japanese sake

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1682, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sake

• art for art's sake
• for goodness' sake
• for heaven's sake
• for old times' sake
• for simplicity's sake
• for the sake of appearances
• for the sake of it
• for the sake of simplicity
• just for the sake of it

Rhymes for sake

• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake
• fake
• flake
• hake
• jake

Kids Definition

sake

1 of 2 noun

ˈsāk 

1

: goal sense 2, purpose

for the sake of argument

2

: the good of something : advantage

the sake of our country

sake

2 of 2 noun

sa·​ke

variants or saki

ˈsäk-ē 

: a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice

Etymology

Noun

Old English sacu "guilt, legal action"

Noun

Japanese