sake

¹ American  

[seyk] / seɪk /

noun

1. cause, account, interest, or benefit.

   for the sake of all students.

   Synonyms:

   respect, consideration, regard

2. purpose or end.

   for the sake of appearances.

   Synonyms:

   reason

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sake ² American  

[sah-kee] / ˈsɑ ki /

Or saké,

noun

1. a Japanese fermented, mildly alcoholic beverage made from rice.

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sake ¹ British  

/ seɪk /

noun

1. benefit or interest (esp in the phrase for ( someone's or one's own ) sake )

2. the purpose of obtaining or achieving (esp in the phrase for the sake of ( something ))

3. used in various exclamations of impatience, urgency, etc

   for heaven's sake

   for pete's sake

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sake ² British  

/ ˈsækɪ /

noun

1. a Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice

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sake Idioms  

1. see for the sake of.

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Etymology

Origin of sake¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sacu “lawsuit, cause”; cognate with German Sache “thing,” Old Norse sǫk “lawsuit”; akin to seek

Origin of sake²

First recorded in 1680–90; from Japanese sake; compare Okinawan saki

Example Sentences

Airlines have concentrated in a few dozen commercial airports for efficiency’s sake, said Mary Schiavo, an aviation attorney who previously served as the inspector general for the Transportation Department.

From The Wall Street Journal

MLB has been aggressive in recent years with implementing rule changes for the sake of entertainment, even at the expense of innovation.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The university is prepared to ditch its commitment to its civic mission for the sake of minimal savings," the UCU added.

From BBC

“Innovation is important, but innovation for the sake of innovation has never really been something that hasn’t had negative impacts,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Oftentimes women, especially women of color, we end up having to hold so many things for the sake of the movement, family, community,” Delia Ramirez told the 19th.

From Salon

Related Words

• well-being