Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

sambuca

noun (1)
Save Word
sam·​bu·​ca | \ samˈb(y)ükə\
plural -s

Definition of sambuca

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: trigon

sambuca

noun (2)
sam·​bu·​ca | \ samˈbükə, sämˈbükä\
plural -s

Definition of sambuca (Entry 2 of 2)

: an anise-flavored Italian liqueur that is made with the fruit of a Eurasian elder bush (Sambucus nigra)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for sambuca

Noun (1)

Latin, from Greek sambykē, of Semitic origin; akin to Aramaic śabbĕkhā trigon

Noun (2)

Italian, from sambuco elder bush, from Latin sambucus

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about sambuca

Statistics for sambuca

Comments on sambuca

What made you want to look up sambuca? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

bruit

Listen to the pronounciation of bruit

to spread as a report or rumor

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Confusing Words—A Quiz

  • alice with tweedle dee and tweedle dum
  • I invented a brand new toaster robot and ______ it "Sir Toasts-a-Lot."
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games