poppy seed

noun

1. seed of the poppy plant, used as an ingredient or topping for breads, rolls, cakes, and cookies.

poppy seed

noun

1. the small grey seeds of one type of poppy flower, used esp on loaves and as a cake filling

Word History and Origins

Origin of poppy seed¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Example Sentences

Monaco posits the bread may even have contained parsley, fennel, poppy seeds, and Roman Coriander in some markets, a testament to the Romans’ sophisticated style of bread-making and adventurous flavor combinations.

From Popular-Science

The Pele reactor’s fuel will be sealed in pellets the size of poppy seeds, and it will be air-cooled so there’s no radioactive coolant to dispose of.

From Popular-Science

The dressed salad, abundant with chicken, flecked with poppy seed and fragrant with lemon, is piled onto plates, then juicy, sweet blueberries, a crunch of toasted sunflower seeds and scallion greens are scattered on top.

From Washington Post

Three pairs of hands appeared, gathered up the poppy seed, and bore it out of sight.

From Project Gutenberg

Its food is canary seed, millet, poppy seed, and bruised hemp seed.

From Project Gutenberg

They must be brought up on poppy-seed and the crumb of white bread, soaked in milk or water.

From Project Gutenberg

Though bread appears to be sufficient when caged, it is better to add rape, millet, and poppy seed.

From Project Gutenberg

When old larks are first made prisoners, they must be fed only with oats and poppy-seed to reconcile them to captivity.

From Project Gutenberg