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

Even haters of the Golden Arches might find charms in He’s project, whose page edges are colored so that the book, when closed, looks like an abstraction of a Big Mac: two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions on a sesame seed bun. —Craig Nakano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024

For example, pistachios, almonds, cashews, pine nuts, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, and hemp seeds. —Christina Pérez, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024

It's made up of Salvadoran rum, horchata, cinnamon, coffee liqueur and instant café de olla, garnished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. —Scott Detrow, NPR, 22 Dec. 2024

Portion tablespoon size balls of cookie dough and roll in sesame seeds to completely cover. —Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024

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