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.

---

dim sum British  

/ ˈdɪm ˈsʌm /

noun

1. a Chinese appetizer of steamed dumplings containing various fillings

---

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

They would also often meet for dinner, sometimes lavish meals, gossiping and bantering over dim sum, pizza or claypot rice.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

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

It involves indulging in dim sum and gelato, shopping for — what else? — food and hosting a casual potluck pizza party at home with friends.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025

We lived on Waverly Place, in a warm, clean, two-bedroom flat that sat above a small Chinese bakery specializing in steamed pastries and dim sum.

From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan