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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
Examples of sesame in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kraft’s take on everything bagel seasoning has garlic and onion powder plus poppy seeds but doesn’t contain sesame seeds commonly found in other iterations.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
The oil is beautifully fragranced with jasmine, mandarin, and imperious amber and is also highly nourishing due to its formulation—containing sesame, apricot, and coconut oils.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
Allergens can cause serious and sometimes deadly reactions, and the nine major allergens—peanuts, wheat, milk, tree nuts, soy, egg, crustaceans (shellfish), fish and sesame—are all required by law to be clearly marked on all products.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Use sesame, focaccia or white bread in place of the sourdough.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024
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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
Time Traveler
The first known use of sesame was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing sesame
Articles Related to sesame
Dictionary Entries Near sesame
Cite this Entry
“Sesame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sesame. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on sesame
Nglish: Translation of sesame for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of sesame for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sesame
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