couscous

American  

[koos-koos] / ˈkus kus /

noun

1. a North African dish consisting of steamed semolina, typically served with vegetables and meat.

2. semolina in the form of tiny pellets or balls, produced by any of various methods and used in a number of different cuisines and dishes.

3. Israeli couscous.

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couscous British  

/ ˈkuːskuːs /

noun

1. a type of semolina originating from North Africa, consisting of granules of crushed durum wheat

2. a spicy North African dish consisting of steamed semolina with meat, vegetables, or fruit C17: via French from Arabic kouskous, from kaskasa to pound until fine

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Etymology

Origin of couscous

First recorded in 1590–1600; from French, from Arabic kuskus, kuskusū, from Berber seksu

Example Sentences

"Usually, there's joy when we make couscous," he said.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

For a Mediterranean flavor profile, try stuffing them with couscous, white beans, chopped asparagus, olives and tomatoes, seasoned with Mediterranean herbs and spices.

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2025

Fast-forward 25 years and women carrying individually wrapped portions of the fermented cassava couscous still walk across Abidjan, Ivory Coast's biggest city, selling this now Unesco-recognised dish.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2024

The company’s product line runs a whole-grain gamut, including stone-ground sorghum flour, paleo-style muesli and whole wheat-pearl couscous, along with energy bars and cake and soup mixes.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2024

He is particularly mute when he and Moushumi get together for dinners with groups of her French friends, drinking Pernods and feasting on couscous or choucroute, smoking and arguing around paper-covered tables.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri