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

"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

I’m enchanted to have a choice of onigiri around town, but we still make it at home — especially since gifts from my daughter’s host family included an onigiri mold for easy shaping.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 19, 2023

She cut the seaweed into different types of strips, which she wrapped around the onigiri in pretty ways.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata