sake

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsāk How to pronounce sake (audio)
Synonyms of sakenext
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
Noun
So sad that whatever the issue is it cannot be communicated and fixed behind closed doors for the sake of the movie. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 8 Aug. 2024 Building meaningful partnerships between the animal and environmental camps may be the clearest route to changing that, for the sake of both animals and our future on Earth. —Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024 Jenny Slate isn't afraid to risk her own personal safety for the sake of fashion. —Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2024 But to this point, the Niners have viewed a trade as sacrificing the present for the sake of the future. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sake 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near sake

Sakarya

sake

sake and soke

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Sake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sake. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

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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

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