sorghum

noun

sor·​ghum ˈsȯr-gəm How to pronounce sorghum (audio)
1
: any of an economically important genus (Sorghum) of Old World tropical grasses similar to corn in habit but with the spikelets in pairs on a hairy rachis
especially : any of various cultivars (such as grain sorghum or sorgo) derived from a wild form (S. bicolor synonym S. vulgare)
2
: syrup from the juice of a sorgo that resembles cane syrup

Illustration of sorghum

Illustration of sorghum
  • sorghum 1

Examples of sorghum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The announcements affect one company exporting sorghum, C&D Inc., and four poultry companies. Time, 4 Apr. 2025 Punishing farmers Additional levies imposed by China earlier on Tuesday comprised a 15% tariff on U.S. chicken, wheat, corn and cotton and an extra levy of 10% on U.S. soybeans, sorghum, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits and vegetables and dairy imports, effective from March 10. Mei Mei Chu and Ella Cao, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025 Cover crops like millet, sorghum, and black-eyed peas have been successful at the botanic gardens. Daryln Brewer Hoffstot Kristian Thacker, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 From ramps plucked from the earth in springtime to sorghum squeezed in the fall, its unique culinary identity has been a source of pride and tourism dollars. Hanna Raskin, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sorghum

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Italian sorgo, from Vulgar Latin *Syricum (granum), literally, Syrian grain

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sorghum was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sorghum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorghum. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

sorghum

noun
sor·​ghum ˈsȯr-gəm How to pronounce sorghum (audio)
1
: any of a genus of Old World tropical grasses that look like corn
especially : one cultivated for grain, forage, or syrup
2
: syrup made from a sorghum

More from Merriam-Webster on sorghum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!