sake

¹ American  

[seyk] / seɪk /

noun

1. cause, account, interest, or benefit.

   for the sake of all students.

   Synonyms:

   respect, consideration, regard

2. purpose or end.

   for the sake of appearances.

   Synonyms:

   reason

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sake ² American  

[sah-kee] / ˈsɑ ki /

Or saké,

noun

1. a Japanese fermented, mildly alcoholic beverage made from rice.

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sake ¹ British  

/ seɪk /

noun

1. benefit or interest (esp in the phrase for ( someone's or one's own ) sake )

2. the purpose of obtaining or achieving (esp in the phrase for the sake of ( something ))

3. used in various exclamations of impatience, urgency, etc

   for heaven's sake

   for pete's sake

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sake ² British  

/ ˈsækɪ /

noun

1. a Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice

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sake Idioms  

1. see for the sake of.

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Etymology

Origin of sake¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sacu “lawsuit, cause”; cognate with German Sache “thing,” Old Norse sǫk “lawsuit”; akin to seek

Origin of sake²

First recorded in 1680–90; from Japanese sake; compare Okinawan saki

Example Sentences

Evan Bernick: Justice Barrett likes to show why history supports a rule that makes sense rather than doing history just for the sake of history.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

"For the sake of our future, and for the sake of all our children, let's end all wars," he concluded.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

If, for argument’s sake, the deal closes Dec. 31, the annualized return would be almost 14%.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

MLB has been aggressive in recent years with implementing rule changes for the sake of entertainment, even at the expense of innovation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The schoolhouse where Biddy was mistress I had never seen; but, the little roundabout lane by which I entered the village, for quietness’ sake, took me past it.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Related Words

• well-being