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

Emanuele Marchesini’s Obsession Emanuele Marchesini is a young Italian winemaker who is dedicated to preserving fresh grapes for the sake of science and art. —Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

The newlyweds are now caught between their decision to stand firm and pressure to pay in installments for the sake of peace in the family. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

Don’t miss Kirk’s favorite, Saturn Descent, an Italian take on the tiki drink featuring Pasubio, St. George aged rye gin, yuzu sake, pomegranate and umeboshi cordial, mirto, shiso and BBQ bitters. —Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 May 2025

The magic flows along with the narrative, never upstaging it or derailing it for the sake of spectacle for spectacle’s sake. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 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