shiitake

noun

shii·​ta·​ke shē-ˈtä-kē 

variants or less commonly shitake

: a dark Asian mushroom (Lentinula edodes of the family Omphalotaceae) widely cultivated especially on woods of the beech family for its edible flavorful tan to brown cap

Examples of shiitake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Do not miss the mushroom campanelli with shiitake and oyster mushrooms. — Karon Warren, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026

Haricots verts and shiitake mushrooms cook in bacon drippings, then get folded into a cream sauce made with garlic-and-herb cheese and a splash of white wine. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026

For collagen support, add salmon with skin, egg whites, bone broth, bell peppers, citrus, cashews, pumpkin seeds and shiitake mushrooms. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026

Carrot matchsticks, shiitake mushrooms, and tender Napa cabbage hide in a tangle of chewy udon noodles. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from shii, the Japanese chinquapin + take mushroom

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shiitake

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• forsake
• gouache
• handshake
• headache