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

Ingredients range from varietals of mint, basil and an array of chiles to the unexpected, like mustard, lemon verbena and wasabi. —Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

What really set it apart was its unique flavor, with a bitter edge akin to horseradish or wasabi. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025

Meanwhile, dishes at the restaurant brim with local ingredients, including wasabi, an Okutama specialty that is grown a stone's throw away. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025

The cool, shady mountain slopes were ideal for hiking, and abundant natural springs provided just the right environment for growing the area’s famed wasabi. —Kristen E. Pope, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025

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