dim sum

American  

[dim-suhm] / ˈdɪmˈsʌm /

Or dimsum

noun

Chinese Cooking.

1. small dumplings, usually steamed or fried and filled with meat, seafood, vegetables, condiments, etc.

2. a traditional light meal or dish consisting of these dumplings or other small items of savory or sweet food.

   an assortment of dim sum, which included shrimp dumplings, spring rolls, and steamed pork ribs.

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dim sum British  

/ ˈdɪm ˈsʌm /

noun

1. a Chinese appetizer of steamed dumplings containing various fillings

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Etymology

Origin of dim sum

First recorded in 1965–70; from Chinese dialect (Guangdong) dím sàm, equivalent to Chinese diǎnxīn ( diǎn “dot, speck” + xīn “heart”)

Example Sentences

“The dim sum bond market is growing like crazy,” said Alicia Garcia Herrero, an economist at the French bank Natixis and a professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026

I’ve even joked to my boyfriend, Stephen, about starting a matchmaking service—not for romance, but for people seeking a like-minded friend to share tapas, dim sum or a Chili’s Triple Dipper.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2025

"I'm not thinking past the experience but afterwards I'd definitely like to get some dim sum with my family and have that deja vu moment," he adds, 10 years on from his last mini marathon.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2025

Also, I know this column is about Sundays, but I love a weekday dim sum where you hang out with all the uncles and aunties while they read their newspapers.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025

Tonight's our family dim sum dinner at Lola's favorite Chinese place.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio