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

Cover and simmer until sorghum is tender, 50 to 60 minutes. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026

Some cooks even mixed roe into dense sorghum bread. —Michael Snyder, Saveur, 11 Mar. 2026

Gluten-free sourdough bread is made with gluten-free flours such as those made with millet, sorghum, teff, quinoa, and buckwheat. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 9 Mar. 2026

The menu plays on Lowcountry classics with dishes like charred okra, she-crab soup, sourdough bread served alongside sorghum butter, and perloo, a traditional one-pot meal popular in South Carolina and Georgia. —Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 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