sake

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsāk 

1

: end, purpose

for the sake of argument

2

a

: the good, advantage, or enhancement of some entity (such as an ideal)

free to pursue learning for its own sake

—M. S. Eisenhower

b

: personal or social welfare, safety, or benefit

sake

2 of 2

noun (2)

sa·​ke ˈsä-kē 

variants or saki

: a Japanese alcoholic beverage of fermented rice often served hot

Examples of sake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And just be sure that all the creative team have read and liked the book ... for the sake of the millions of fans of the books. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025

With limited resources, Los Angeles can't afford to make a trade just for the sake of making one this season. —David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025

For financial considerations and personal sanity’s sake, Fleming and Panasyuk both stress the importance of homeowners proactively protecting their homes from potential water damage. —Perri Ormont Blumberg, Architectural Digest, 16 Jan. 2025

The Heat doesn’t feel the need to rush into a Butler trade just for the sake of ridding itself of what has become an ugly situation. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, dispute, guilt, purpose, from Old English sacu guilt, action at law; akin to Old High German sahha action at law, cause, Old English sēcan to seek — more at seek

Noun (2)

Japanese sake

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1682, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sake

• art for art's sake
• for goodness' sake
• for heaven's sake
• for old times' sake
• for simplicity's sake
• for the sake of appearances
• for the sake of it
• for the sake of simplicity
• just for the sake of it

Kids Definition

sake

1 of 2 noun

ˈsāk 

1

: goal sense 2, purpose

for the sake of argument

2

: the good of something : advantage

the sake of our country

sake

2 of 2 noun

sa·​ke

variants or saki

ˈsäk-ē 

: a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice

Etymology

Noun

Old English sacu "guilt, legal action"

Noun

Japanese