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

The beverage program will feature cocktails like a sorghum old-fashioned; an Atlanta Sazerac with peach bitters, rye, cane syrup and an absinthe rinse; and the restaurant’s take on a mint julep called the George gold. —Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Like soybeans, more than half of the sorghum crop is exported each year, with China traditionally being the biggest buyer. —Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026

Like soybeans, more than half of the sorghum crop is exported each year with China traditionally being the biggest buyer. —Josh Funk, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026

The aid payments will add up to $11 billion for row crop farmers who raise corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum and other crops. —Democrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2026

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