sesame

[ ses-uh-mee ]

noun

1. a tropical, herbaceous plant, Sesamum indicum, whose small oval seeds are edible and yield an oil.
2. the seeds themselves, used to add flavor to bread, crackers, etc.
3. open sesame.

sesame

/ ˈsɛsəmɪ /

noun

1. a tropical herbaceous plant, Sesamum indicum, of the East Indies, cultivated, esp in India, for its small oval seeds: family Pedaliaceae
2. the seeds of this plant, used in flavouring bread and yielding an edible oil ( benne oil or gingili )

Word History and Origins

Origin of sesame¹

1400–50; < Greek sēsámē sesame plant ≪ Akkadian shamashshammū, derived from shaman shammī plant oil; replacing sesam, late Middle English sysane < Latin sēsamum < Greek sḗsamon sesame seed

Word History and Origins

Origin of sesame¹

C15: from Latin sēsamum, from Greek sēsamon, sēsamē, of Semitic origin; related to Arabic simsim

Example Sentences

You’ll find it adds a grounding earthiness against carrot, fresh herbs and sesame seeds in this salad.

From Washington Post

Tienda Salsita’s oil-based salsa güey originates in Vera Cruz and is like a cross between a salsa seca and Sichuan-style chile crisp, with garlic, chiles, and sesame seeds submerged in olive oil.

From Eater

You can also freeze them for up to 1 month, though you may lose a few more sesame seeds.

From Washington Post

It will be served on a sesame seed bun with classic toppings, the company said.

From Fortune

Those bits can break down into pieces no bigger than a sesame seed or piece of lint.

From Science News For Students

Bert and Ernie, as Sesame Street exasperatedly clarified, are not gay.

From The Daily Beast

For instance, Sesame Street parodied grown-up shows 30 Rock, Mad Men, and Downton Abbey.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, Sesame Street's songs weren't only educational; from a pure tuneage perspective, the music was pretty kickass.

From The Daily Beast

It goes without saying the theme-song “Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?”

From The Daily Beast

In 1975, Sesame Street became the first children's program to feature someone with Down Syndrome.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, she would find out who he was, and then—yes, he would find the Open Sesame for every door.

From Project Gutenberg

If the cultivator has not caused corn or sesame to grow in the field, he shall not alter his bonds.

From Project Gutenberg

Not only are the delights of this country mine for the asking, but my name is an Open Sesame in every land.

From Project Gutenberg

Who would possess a lingam which was an Open Sesame to devildom and not make use thereof?

From Project Gutenberg

How to read that we may gain this complete mastery of words, Mr. Ruskin has best told us in “Sesame and Lilies.”

From Project Gutenberg