cheesecake

American  

[cheez-keyk] / ˈtʃizˌkeɪk /

noun

1. Also cheese cake a cake having a firm custardlike texture, made with cream cheese, cottage cheese, or both, and sometimes topped with a jamlike fruit mixture.

2. Also called leg art.  Informal. photographs featuring scantily clothed attractive women.

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cheesecake British  

/ ˈtʃiːzˌkeɪk /

noun

1. a rich tart with a biscuit base, filled with a mixture of cream cheese, cream, sugar, and often sultanas, sometimes having a fruit topping

2. slang women displayed for their sex appeal, as in photographs in magazines, newspapers, or films Compare beefcake

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Etymology

Origin of cheesecake

1400–50; 1930–35, cheesecake for def. 2; late Middle English chese kake; see cheese ¹, cake

Example Sentences

Save room for dessert—the house-made churro cheesecake isn’t overly sweet and is a great way to end the meal.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

For dessert, he will whip up a healthy pumpkin cheesecake made of high-protein muffin mix and low-fat cottage cheese.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

Restaurants are using caviar to create odd food combos and elevate unexpected dishes, adding the fish eggs to everything from cheesecake to chicken nuggets and hot dogs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

A New York Philharmonic player gives Dudamel a cheesecake, and the New York Times writes a story.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2025

Sweet potato cheesecake and peanut butter brownies and white chocolate cookies and, of course, the delicious yellow cupcake with strawberry icing.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds