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

Seasoned Lamb Shoulder Rack This lamb shoulder has travelled from Australia to be with us, shrink-wrapped with a coating of herbs—thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, celery seed—and sesame seeds. —Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 July 2025

These include the excellent eggs Benedict served on whole-grain toast with thick slices of crispy, Chinese-style pork belly, topped with sesame seeds, micro-greens and a tangy miso-hollandaise sauce (€31.60). —New York Times, 10 July 2025

Sheehan Brothers Vending is recalling numerous products due to an undeclared sesame allergen missing from the products' labels. —Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

Discovering most of Charlie’s allergies to garlic, egg, sesame, peanuts, tree nuts and peas has required rushing him from their home in Wyoming to the emergency room, say parents Michael and Karen Evans, who vividly recalled their son’s allergic reaction to his first birthday cake. —Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 2 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