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

Millions of dollars in grain have been sitting unused in Kansas, where farmers export sorghum, wheat, rice and lentils. —Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025

Italy produced 40,000 hectares of grain sorghum in 2023, as well as 25,000 hectares of feed sorghum, according to Sorghum ID. —Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Introducing a new grain, like sorghum, would require taking a risk. —Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025

Gluten-free sourdough bread is made with gluten-free flours such as those made with millet, sorghum, teff, quinoa, and buckwheat. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 28 Jan. 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