star anise
noun
: the small brown star-shaped pungent fruit of a Chinese and Vietnamese tree (Illicium verum) that has a flavor similar to but stronger than anise and is dried and used whole or ground as a spice especially in Chinese cooking
Examples of star anise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With notes of plum, black currant and star anise, and packaging that seamlessly matches the Epo top, even wine connoisseurs may want to try a glass.
—
Emily Earlenbaugh, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Pho is a classic Vietnamese dish, traditionally made with a deeply savory beef broth infused with spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves, and served with rice noodles, herbs, and thin slices of meat.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
To the pot, add the stock, soy sauce, MSG, ginger, Shaoxing, chiles, rock sugar, fennel seeds, Sichuan peppercorns, black and green cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, licorice root, star anise, and jalapeño.
—Jessica Liang, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2025
Toss quickly, then add star anise, cinnamon stick and orange pieces.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for star anise
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Emily Earlenbaugh, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Pho is a classic Vietnamese dish, traditionally made with a deeply savory beef broth infused with spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves, and served with rice noodles, herbs, and thin slices of meat.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
To the pot, add the stock, soy sauce, MSG, ginger, Shaoxing, chiles, rock sugar, fennel seeds, Sichuan peppercorns, black and green cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, licorice root, star anise, and jalapeño.
—Jessica Liang, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2025
Toss quickly, then add star anise, cinnamon stick and orange pieces.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for star anise
Cite this Entry
“Star anise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/star%20anise. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share