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 emergency commodity assistance program provides payments to agricultural producers for eligible crops like rice, cotton and sorghum to help mitigate the effects of higher production costs and lower commodity prices. —Cristina Larue, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2025

China’s retaliatory tariffs also hit U.S. growers of sorghum, corn and cotton, and even geoduck divers have been affected. —Didi Tang, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025

New Grist is made with sorghum, malted millet, rice, hops, water and gluten-free yeast. —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025

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