sugarcane

noun

sug·​ar·​cane ˈshu̇-gər-ˌkān 

: a stout tall perennial grass (Saccharum officinarum) native to tropical southeast Asia that has a large terminal panicle and is widely grown in warm regions as a source of sugar

Illustration of sugarcane

Examples of sugarcane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alpha hydroxy acids are a family of water-soluble chemical exfoliants, often derived from sources like sugarcane, milk, and fruit, that help loosen the bonds holding dead skin cells together. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026

The starting ingredient—wine, apples, rice, malted barley, or sugarcane, for example—helps determine the flavor, as do the fermentation and aging processes. — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026

India is the world's second-largest sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) producer. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

In contrast, white table sugar starts off as juice from sugar beet or sugarcane plants. — Carley Millhone, HEALTH, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sugarcane

• aeroplane
• appertain
• ascertain
• capitaine
• cassegrain
• cellophane
• chatelaine
• counterpane
• entertain
• halothane
• hurricane
• hyperplane

Kids Definition

sugarcane

noun

sug·​ar·​cane ˈshu̇g-ər-ˌkān 

: a tall tropical grass that has a thick jointed stem and is widely grown in warm regions as a source of sugar