onigiri

American

[oh-ni-geer-ee] / ˌoʊ nɪˈgɪər i /

noun

Japanese Cooking.

cold boiled rice, formed into a palm-sized ball and stuffed with fish or pickled fruit, then shaped, usually into a triangle, and wrapped or decorated with dried seaweed.

Etymology

Origin of onigiri

First recorded in 2000–05; from Japanese o- (honorific prefix); see origin at nigiri ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

onigiri

To my right, a middle-aged office worker picks up a packet of fettuccine-shaped gummies, adding them to his cart, which holds a single onigiri and bottled coffee.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2025

"We sincerely apologise for the significant inconvenience caused to our customers who have supported Ministop's handmade onigiri and handmade bento boxes," the company said in a statement on Monday.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2025

The chain has paused onigiri sales at most of its outlets since 9 August, and on Monday extended the pause to other deli items, for an "emergency investigation".

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2025

Sankaku, formerly an onigiri pop-up, opened a permanent shop in Melrose Market last year.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 19, 2023

To make onigiri, you wash your hands and cover your palms with salt.

From "Kira-Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023