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

Local civil society groups estimate that up to 8,000 workers toil in the company’s sugarcane fields that span more than 173,700 acres. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

By area, the largest crops are sweet oranges, sugarcane, peanuts, cotton, corn, grapefruit, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, watermelons, rice, soy, and peppers. — Candace Barone, Florida Times-Union, 15 Aug. 2026

As the Gulf crisis has pushed up the price of oil, government mandates for biofuel—a blend of ethanol (from corn or sugarcane) and diesel; or diesel and vegetable oil—have also risen. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

The show was a colorful, vibrant display of Puerto Rican and pan-Latin American culture, featuring a dynamic set showcasing the history of workers in sugarcane fields to the modern joys of everyday life and an actual legal wedding onstage. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 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