sesame oil

American  

noun

1. a yellow oil expressed from the seeds of the sesame, used in cooking, as a vehicle for medicines, and in the manufacture of margarine, soap, and cosmetics.

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Etymology

Origin of sesame oil

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Quick pickled cucumbers, dressed with rice vinegar, sugar and sesame oil, bring texture and acidity while a classic Mexican mix of minced onion and cilantro finishes things off.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

For the fish, cut the salmon into strips; chop the chutoro finely and mix it with scallions; and turn the akami into spicy tuna with sriracha, kewpie, and a touch of sesame oil.

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2025

It comes after social media influencers in the small Nordic country began sharing a salad recipe of grated cucumbers, sesame oil, garlic, rice vinegar and chilli oil.

From BBC • Aug. 23, 2024

Toasted sesame oil, like vanilla extract, lends fragrance without bulk, and in this recipe, it also helps prevent them from sticking to the pan.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 2024

The servant cooked the morsels in sesame oil, and the wonderful aroma made Wei laugh.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston