wasabi

noun

wa·​sa·​bi wä-ˈsä-bē 

wə-ˈsä-;

ˈwä-sə-bē 

1

: a condiment that is prepared from the ground thick pungent greenish rhizome of an Asian herb (Eutrema japonicum synonym Wasabia japonica) of the mustard family and is similar in flavor and use to horseradish

also : the rhizome

2

: the herb that yields wasabi

Examples of wasabi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the eight-seat Sushi Fuji Takumi, from the team at renowned Sushi Sho, fish sourced from nearby Suruga Bay and the waters beyond is turned into delicate seasonal nigiri, served with fresh wasabi from a nearby farm. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

People can also order wasabi directly online. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026

Creative starters have included items like boudin egg rolls, pork belly cinnamon rolls, and Szechuan wasabi cashew butter served with radishes and broccolini. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026

There’s a variety of classic sushi rolls like Philadelphia rolls or specialties like the Jayhawk roll (cream cheese, avocado, shrimp tempura and spicy tuna) as well as sashimi (individual pieces of fish served with ginger, soy sauce and wasabi). —Jenna Thompson april 15, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wasabi

• panjabi
• punjabi
• wahhabi
• bobbie
• bobby
• hobby
• knobby
• lobby
• nabi
• nobby