sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me ˈse-sə-mē 

also

ˈse-zə- 

1

: a widely cultivated chiefly tropical or subtropical annual erect herb (Sesamum indicum of the family Pedaliaceae)

also : its small seeds used especially as a source of oil and a flavoring agent

2

: open sesame

Illustration of sesame

• sesame 1

Examples of sesame in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

First up, a comfort-food salad sprinkled with furikake, the Japanese sesame-seaweed mixture traditionally used as a rice seasoning. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Avocado, flaxseed, toasted sesame, canola, grapeseed, or olive oils enhance flavor while boosting healthy fat intake. —Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 23 Feb. 2026

Her go-to is a white-sesame-and-cumin mixture. —Charlotte Goddu, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026

For the former, sesame, flaxseed, and hemp hearts are our favorites. —Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier sesam, sesama, from Latin sesamum, sesama, from Greek sēsamon, sēsamē, of Semitic origin; akin to Akkadian šamaššamu sesame

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sesame

• open sesame
• sesame oil

Kids Definition

sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me ˈses-ə-mē 

1

: a hairy herb of warm regions that is grown for its seeds

also : its small somewhat flat seeds that are used as a source of oil and to flavor food

2

: open sesame

Medical Definition

sesame

noun

ses·​a·​me

ˈses-ə-mē also ˈsez-

: a widely cultivated annual erect herb (Sesamum indicum synonym S. orientale of the family Pedaliaceae)

also : its small somewhat flat seeds used as a source of sesame oil and a flavoring agent