sorghum

noun

sor·​ghum ˈsȯr-gəm 

1

: any of an economically important genus (Sorghum) of Old World tropical grasses similar to corn in habit but with the spikelets in pairs on a hairy rachis

especially : any of various cultivars (such as grain sorghum or sorgo) derived from a wild form (S. bicolor synonym S. vulgare)

2

: syrup from the juice of a sorgo that resembles cane syrup

Illustration of sorghum

• sorghum 1

Examples of sorghum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The announcements affect one company exporting sorghum, C&D Inc., and four poultry companies. —Time, 4 Apr. 2025

Punishing farmers Additional levies imposed by China earlier on Tuesday comprised a 15% tariff on U.S. chicken, wheat, corn and cotton and an extra levy of 10% on U.S. soybeans, sorghum, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits and vegetables and dairy imports, effective from March 10. —Mei Mei Chu and Ella Cao, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025

Cover crops like millet, sorghum, and black-eyed peas have been successful at the botanic gardens. —Daryln Brewer Hoffstot Kristian Thacker, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

From ramps plucked from the earth in springtime to sorghum squeezed in the fall, its unique culinary identity has been a source of pride and tourism dollars. —Hanna Raskin, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Italian sorgo, from Vulgar Latin *Syricum (granum), literally, Syrian grain

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sorghum

• grain sorghum
• sweet sorghum

Kids Definition

sorghum

noun

sor·​ghum ˈsȯr-gəm 

1

: any of a genus of Old World tropical grasses that look like corn

especially : one cultivated for grain, forage, or syrup

2

: syrup made from a sorghum