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 country, which typically buys corn, soybeans and sorghum from the U.S., has been diversifying its sources and stocking up. —Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

Independent and industrial farms need to adapt in other ways too, converting to drought-resistant crops like sorghum, okra, and fava beans—while taking care to rotate those and a variety of other similar crops to avoid establishing agricultural monocultures that are susceptible to disease. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

This includes classic stone-ground Southern grits as well as whole grains like barley, farro, oats, and sorghum. —Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024

Italy’s farmers are also diversifying and rotating their crops more, opting for sorghum and millet, instead of maize, for example, which helps replenish soil nutrients while also needing less water. —Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

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