brown sugar

American  

noun

1. unrefined or partially refined sugar that retains some molasses.

2. a commercial product consisting of white, refined sugar to which molasses has been added.

3. Slang. brownish-colored heroin manufactured illicitly in Mexico.

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brown sugar British  

noun

1. sugar that is unrefined or only partially refined

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Etymology

Origin of brown sugar

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

Then, following Samin Nosrat’s lead, I gave them time: an overnight dry brine of salt, brown sugar, paprika, and a little fennel powder, the surface quietly transforming while you sleep.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

The dry lake beds and bare mountains were cast in glow and shadow, the whole scene washed in cinnamon and brown sugar — earthy tones that felt almost edible.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026

“The irony … is that I love Pop-Tarts. I particularly love the brown sugar tarts. I probably eat too many of them,” Bevacqua said.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

Last year I scored it one way and then the other, kind of a diamond thing, studded it with cloves, sprinkled on brown sugar and roasted it quite slow.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

The sweet molasses smell of brown sugar teased my tongue as I placed the bowl in the microwave.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas