sumac

American  

[soo-mak, shoo-] / ˈsu mæk, ˈʃu- /

Or sumach

noun

1. any of several shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Rhus of the cashew family, having milky sap, compound leaves, and small, fleshy fruit.

2. a preparation of the dried and powdered leaves, bark, etc., of certain species of Rhus, especially R. coriaria of southern Europe, used especially in tanning.

3. the wood of these trees.

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Etymology

Origin of sumac

1250–1300; Middle English < Medieval Latin < Arabic summāq

Example Sentences

“Recipes From the American South” is a cookbook that I will come back to again and again for its roasts and stews, cakes and pies—and surprises like Appalachian lemonade made from sumac.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

He flips a jar of sumac between his hands like a baseball while teasing a regular, a woman in zebra-print pants with a diamond wedding ring the size of a quail’s egg.

From Salon • Aug. 26, 2025

Vejar’s “ins” include native oaks and some sycamores, black walnut trees, desert willows, drought-tolerant African sumac and Chinese pistache.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

Think about fresh herbs, curry powder, cumin, minced garlic, za’atar, chili powder, Aleppo pepper or sumac.

From Washington Times • Dec. 4, 2023

Here and there I passed a motel or bait shop, but otherwise the country unfolded in great sweeps of pine and birch and sumac.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien