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

Active Time: 1 hr Stand Time: 4 hrs Total Time: 6 hrs 30 mins Servings: 8 This old-fashioned, double-crust pie may look ordinary on the outside, but when it's sliced, the inside reveals vibrant orange layers of sweet potatoes flecked with spices and sweetened with sugar and sorghum syrup. —Nancie McDermott, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2023

This old-fashioned, double-crust pie may look ordinary on the outside, but when it's sliced, the inside reveals vibrant orange layers of sweet potatoes flecked with spices and sweetened with sugar and sorghum syrup. —Nancie McDermott, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2023

But other accounts say that sorghum arrived in North America with enslaved Africans, who’d braided seeds from the native plant into their hair. —Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023

To make this dessert, Zack buys a rich, earthy sorghum syrup made by the Seminole nation and folds it into a luscious custard. —The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 13 Sep. 2023

This Thoroughbred horse farm combines bourbon tastings from distilleries around the state with hyperlocal food (cast-iron corn bread with sorghum brown butter; whole trout with butter beans), all in a single agritourism package. —Emily Bingham, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2023

What is the difference between molasses and sorghum syrup? —Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2023

Lightly spiced with brown sugar and cinnamon, the filling really lets the flavor of sorghum shine. —Keia Mastrianni, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2023

Farmers in Texas are accustomed to hot summers, but the severe heat wave rippling through the state brought high temperatures earlier than usual, said Russell Boening, who grows corn and sorghum and raises beef and dairy cattle south of San Antonio. —Annie Probert, NBC News, 13 July 2023

See More

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

• sweet sorghum
• grain sorghum

• sweet sorghum
• grain 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