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

Here, up to 20 courses are prepared with ritual precision, from seafood treated with the ikejime (humane fish-slaughtering) method, to rice and wasabi sourced from long-standing Japanese suppliers. —Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 10 May 2026

In the kitchen, chef Andrew Copley draws on a résumé spanning London to Hawaii, with dishes like chicken and lemongrass potstickers and crispy branzino with wasabi. —Christina Pérez, Vogue, 8 May 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). —Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026

Skip the extra soy sauce and wasabi. —Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 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