wasabi

noun

wa·​sa·​bi wä-ˈsä-bē 

wə-ˈsä-;

ˈwä-sə-bē 

1

: a condiment that is prepared from the ground thick pungent greenish rhizome of an Asian herb (Eutrema japonicum synonym Wasabia japonica) of the mustard family and is similar in flavor and use to horseradish

also : the rhizome

2

: the herb that yields wasabi

Examples of wasabi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dipped in soy sauce with a touch of wasabi brings such a great balance of savory umami with a punch of heat. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025

Chef Phillip Frankland Lee’s bites will include tastes like Roasted Bone Marrow nigiri finished with soy, sea salt, and freshly grated wasabi on sharkskin – for a night that is sure to not only be delicious but full of creativity and excitement. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

Fatty, melt-in-your-mouth tuna belly gets cut by the sharp vinegar and spice of pickled wasabi, and later freshened up with parsley. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025

The first quarter of the menu is raw or nearly so (and heavily inspired by Ward’s many trips to Japan): sashimi slivers of that madai, hamachi and bluefin are enlivened with white soy, tama miso or simple fresh wasabi. —Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wasabi

• panjabi
• punjabi
• wahhabi
• bobbie
• bobby
• hobby
• knobby
• lobby
• nabi
• nobby