sake

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsāk How to pronounce sake (audio)
Synonyms of sake
1
: end, purpose
for the sake of argument
2
a
: the good, advantage, or enhancement of some entity (such as an ideal)
… free to pursue learning for its own sake.—M. S. Eisenhower
b
: personal or social welfare, safety, or benefit

sake

2 of 2

noun (2)

sa·​ke ˈsä-kē How to pronounce sake (audio)
variants or saki
: a Japanese alcoholic beverage of fermented rice often served hot

Examples of sake 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.
Noun
There are new signature cocktails like the Fridge Cig (fernet, cherry, lime, coke; $13) and Powerfade (sake, genepy, gatorade blend; $13). — Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 Because technology for technology’s sake isn’t enough anymore. — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 28 Aug. 2026 The Japanese sushi and steakhouse flies in fresh fish from Japan and offers the largest sake and Japanese whiskey collections in the metroplex. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026 Beresford, in turn, says what drew him to Warchus was an aversion to visual spectacle for its own sake. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sake

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, dispute, guilt, purpose, from Old English sacu guilt, action at law; akin to Old High German sahha action at law, cause, Old English sēcan to seek — more at seek

Noun (2)

Japanese sake

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1682, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sake was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing sake

Rhymes for sake

See All Rhymes for sake

Browse Nearby Words

Sakarya
sake
sake and soke
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sake. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sake

1 of 2 noun
ˈsāk How to pronounce sake (audio)
1
: goal sense 2, purpose
for the sake of argument
2
: the good of something : advantage
the sake of our country

sake

2 of 2 noun
sa·​ke
variants or saki
ˈsäk-ē How to pronounce sake (audio)
: a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice
Etymology

Noun

Old English sacu "guilt, legal action"

Noun

Japanese

More from Merriam-Webster on sake

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sake

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sake

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