sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me ˈse-sə-mē 

also

ˈse-zə- 

1

: a widely cultivated chiefly tropical or subtropical annual erect herb (Sesamum indicum of the family Pedaliaceae)

also : its small seeds used especially as a source of oil and a flavoring agent

2

: open sesame

Illustration of sesame

• sesame 1

Examples of sesame in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The others are milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

Rakar sells pork soup dumplings, chicken dumplings, egg drop soup, sesame shrimp and more. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2025

Then Lee tried the black sesame cruffin, aka croissant muffin. —Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025

The sesame semolina loaf and morning rolls are two of my go-tos—think a less sweet, more croissant-like pastry. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier sesam, sesama, from Latin sesamum, sesama, from Greek sēsamon, sēsamē, of Semitic origin; akin to Akkadian šamaššamu sesame

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sesame

• open sesame
• sesame oil

Kids Definition

sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me ˈses-ə-mē 

1

: a hairy herb of warm regions that is grown for its seeds

also : its small somewhat flat seeds that are used as a source of oil and to flavor food

2

: open sesame

Medical Definition

sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me

ˈses-ə-mē also ˈsez-

: a widely cultivated annual erect herb (Sesamum indicum synonym S. orientale of the family Pedaliaceae)

also : its small somewhat flat seeds used as a source of sesame oil and a flavoring agent