sake

¹

[ seyk ]

noun

1. cause, account, interest, or benefit:

   for the sake of all students.

   Synonyms: respect, consideration, regard

2. purpose or end:

   for the sake of appearances.

   Synonyms: reason

sake

²

or sa·ké, sa·ki

[ sah-kee ]

noun

1. a Japanese fermented, mildly alcoholic beverage made from rice.

sake

¹

/ seɪk /

noun

1. benefit or interest (esp in the phrase for ( someone's or one's own ) sake )
2. the purpose of obtaining or achieving (esp in the phrase for the sake of ( something ))
3. used in various exclamations of impatience, urgency, etc

   for pete's sake

   for heaven's sake

sake

²

/ ˈsækɪ /

noun

1. a Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice

Word History and Origins

Origin of sake¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sacu “lawsuit, cause”; cognate with German Sache “thing,” Old Norse sǫk “lawsuit”; akin to seek

Origin of sake²

First recorded in 1680–90; from Japanese sake; compare Okinawan saki

Word History and Origins

Origin of sake¹

C13 (in the phrase for the sake of, probably from legal usage): from Old English sacu lawsuit (hence, a cause); related to Old Norse sok, German Sache matter

Origin of sake²

C17: from Japanese

Idioms and Phrases

see for the sake of .

Example Sentences

Bill Kendrick, the town's outgoing mayor, told the BBC that he hoped "it gets worked out for the sake of the new council, so they can get down to business".

From BBC

Finally, for the sake of keeping our spirits up and landing punches against our political foes, let’s remember the power of humor and ridicule.

From Salon

For the sake of our air, water, and public health, we must ensure our solutions work for everyone, not just for those who profit from pollution.

From Los Angeles Times

Lysenko benefited from Stalin’s suspicion of and hostility toward scientific experts, whom his henchmen denigrated as “enemies of the people” for their defense of “pure science for the sake of science.”

From Los Angeles Times

She goes for walks on Laurel Canyon Boulevard, for goodness’ sake.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• well-being