sorghum

noun

sor·​ghum ˈsȯr-gəm 

1

: any of an economically important genus (Sorghum) of Old World tropical grasses similar to corn in habit but with the spikelets in pairs on a hairy rachis

especially : any of various cultivars (such as grain sorghum or sorgo) derived from a wild form (S. bicolor synonym S. vulgare)

2

: syrup from the juice of a sorgo that resembles cane syrup

Illustration of sorghum

• sorghum 1

Examples of sorghum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This starts in early spring when sorghum seeds are planted. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

This includes classic stone-ground Southern grits as well as whole grains like barley, farro, oats, and sorghum. —Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025

In place of wheat, Pamela’s uses a mixture of brown rice flour, sorghum flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, and gluten-free oat bran. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2025

Taste of Bardstown Market Stock up on uniquely Kentucky goodies like Monk's Road Coffee Caramel Chocolates, Kentucky Hot Mix trail mix, Bramble Ridge sorghum syrup, and Elixir Kombucha at 3rd Street’s Taste of Bardstown Market. —Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Italian sorgo, from Vulgar Latin *Syricum (granum), literally, Syrian grain

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sorghum

• grain sorghum
• sweet sorghum

Kids Definition

sorghum

noun

sor·​ghum ˈsȯr-gəm 

1

: any of a genus of Old World tropical grasses that look like corn

especially : one cultivated for grain, forage, or syrup

2

: syrup made from a sorghum