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, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. —News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025

And folks who also need to avoid eggs, sesame, and shellfish should check out the rotisserie chicken, paired with yellow rice and black beans. —Karla Walsh, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 July 2025

Right before serving, toss in the sesame seeds and the remaining cilantro leaves. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025

Fried sweet plantain is placed in a thick sauce of chocolate, sesame, pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, and chiles. —Maliah West, AFAR Media, 23 July 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