sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me ˈse-sə-mē How to pronounce sesame (audio)
also
ˈse-zə- How to pronounce sesame (audio)
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

Illustration of sesame

Illustration of sesame
  • sesame 1

Examples of sesame in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for sesame

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sesame was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sesame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sesame. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

sesame

noun
ses·​a·​me ˈses-ə-mē How to pronounce sesame (audio)
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

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sesame

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