sake

1 of 2

noun (1)

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 sakeM. S. Eisenhower
b
: personal or social welfare, safety, or benefit

sake

2 of 2

noun (2)

sa·​ke ˈsä-kē How to pronounce sake (audio)
variants or saki
: a Japanese alcoholic beverage of fermented rice often served hot

Examples of sake in a Sentence

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.
Noun
Yet moves like allowing erotica in ChatGPT may signal that AI companies are fighting harder than ever to achieve growth, and will sacrifice longer-term consumer trust for the sake of short-term profit. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025 But while the two share this creation-for-creation’s-sake approach, their respective careers are also defined by lofty ambitions that bridge the worlds of music, visual art and science and beyond. Katie Bain, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025 Anyone who gambled with that blood for the sake of symbolic triumph would have been accountable for the cost. Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025 The 152-room resort supplies a plethora of activities between trips to the slopes, including morning food markets, hands-on programs for making local Aizu handicrafts, night sky viewing, sake tastings in the convivial sake bar, and a tiled onsen, spa, and pool. Adam H. Graham, AFAR Media, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sake

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sake was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Sake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sake. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

sake

1 of 2 noun
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
: a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice
Etymology

Noun

Old English sacu "guilt, legal action"

Noun

Japanese

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