tahini

noun

ta·​hi·​ni tə-ˈhē-nē How to pronounce tahini (audio)
tä-
: a smooth paste of sesame seeds

Examples of tahini in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The chocolate bars are filled with pistachio and often tahini, mixed with kadayif, a phyllo-like pastry. Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026 Elick recommends making a green pea hummus dip with tahini paste, lemon, and seasonings for a colorful alternative to regular hummus. Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 30 Dec. 2025 Sweet beet-tahini dip gets a spicy, fragrant twist with serrano peppers and garlic, while the traditional baba ghanouj adds warm roasted tomato salsa to its eggplant-tahini base. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Dec. 2025 The nutty, fatty richness of the tahini softens the fruit’s sharp edge and makes the whole thing taste bigger, rounder and more grownup. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tahini

Word History

Etymology

Arabic dialect ṭaḥīna, from ṭaḥana to grind

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tahini was in 1950

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tahini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tahini. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.

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