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

Although their romantic relationship ended in 2000, Willis and Moore's bond has remained unbreakable, especially for the sake of their three children: Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024

For the sake of clarity, the purples refer to indie, metal, soul and rap. —Kris Holt, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

For the sake of small-d democratic fairness, states should end these taxpayer subsidies for union partisanship, before these special interests abuse the public’s trust for their preferred party’s political gain. —Liesel Crocker, National Review, 6 Dec. 2024

With personal work, my goal is always to explore something new or create just for the sake of creating. —Cath Virginia, The Verge, 5 Dec. 2024

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