Definition

Noun: 1. An annual herb (Sesamum indicum) native to Asia, cultivated for its edible seeds and oil: A plant with upright growth, small white to pale pink flowers, and seed pods that contain small, flat, oval seeds. 2. The edible seeds of this plant: The small, oil-rich seeds, which can be white, yellow, red, brown, or black, used as a food ingredient and for extracting oil.

Usage

• As a countable noun (referring to the plant): "The farmer grows in his field."
• As an uncountable noun (referring to the seeds or oil): "The recipe calls for two tablespoons of toasted ." / "The salad is dressed with oil."

Examples

• Referring to the plant: "The plants are ready for harvest when their pods turn brown."
• Referring to the seeds: "She sprinkled on top of the bread before baking it."
• Referring to the oil: "Stir-fry the vegetables in a little oil for extra flavor."

Advanced Usage

• "Open sesame": A magical command from the story that causes a cave door to open. Figuratively, it means a very effective method for achieving a desired result, especially one that provides quick or miraculous access.
  • Example: "Knowing the right people can be the open sesame to a career in that industry."

Variants and Related Words

• Sesame seed: The specific term for the seed itself. Often used interchangeably with "sesame."
  • Example: "The bagel is covered in sesame seeds."
• Benne / Benniseed: An older term, particularly in the Southern United States and West Africa, for sesame seeds.
• Sesame oil: The oil pressed from sesame seeds.

Synonyms

• Benne (when referring to the seed, chiefly historical or regional).
• Til (a common name for sesame in South Asian languages like Hindi).

Related Phrases

• "Sesame Street": The title of a famous educational children's television program. (Note: This is a proper noun and a compound name, not a direct usage of the word "sesame" itself).

Noun

1. East Indian annual erect herb; source of sesame seed or benniseed and sesame oil