onigiri

American  

[oh-ni-geer-ee] / ˌoʊ nɪˈgɪər i /

noun

Japanese Cooking.

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of onigiri

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

Example Sentences

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

A Japanese convenience store chain has suspended the sale of rice balls, or onigiri, and other deli items at 1,600 stores after it found that staff had faked their expiry dates.

From BBC • Aug. 18, 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 onigiri also can be round or oval.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 19, 2023

Rice balls are called onigiri, and they were the only thing I knew how to make.

From "Kira-Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata