poppy seed

American  

noun

• poppy seeds
  plural

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

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poppy seed British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• poppy seeds
  plural

Etymology

Origin of poppy seed

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

poppy seed

The LED recording light is about the size of a poppy seed, so it’s on you to tell people you’re wearing a wire.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025

The result was thrown out — and never publicized — because O’Neal told officials he’d eaten a poppy seed muffin shortly before the test.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2025

Tiny ticks at the nymph stage — about the size of poppy seed — could be active early this year, said Dr. Bobbi Pritt, who studies tick-borne diseases at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 27, 2023

By the mid- to late-80s, poppy seed dressing was the dressing for fruit salads and that trend has remained.

From Salon ● Mar. 23, 2023

“I don’t wax on about my worship. It’s personal. And honestly, poppy seed soup, bah.”

From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys