sugarcane

noun

sug·​ar·​cane ˈshu̇-gər-ˌkān How to pronounce sugarcane (audio)
: a stout tall perennial grass (Saccharum officinarum) native to tropical southeast Asia that has a large terminal panicle and is widely grown in warm regions as a source of sugar

Illustration of sugarcane

Illustration of sugarcane

Examples of sugarcane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Cachaça, made of sugarcane and beloved in Brazil, is the spirit to start with. Brittany Leitner, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2024 On Sunday there was more bad news: After confirming that nearly 10 acres of sugarcane in one of its fields had been set ablaze by unknown assailants, rum company Barbancourt announced its foundation was suspending all services to the surrounding community north of the capital. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024 The inside of each shoe is lined with the plush fur that Uggs are known for, while a sustainable sugarcane EVA outsole adequately prepares these boots for taking on winter weather. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2023 For example, the famous case of cane toads, brought to Australia to try to control insects munching on sugarcane crops, quickly became an-ever-expanding menace in their own right. Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024 While rum is mostly made from molasses, rhum agricole is produced using sugarcane juice. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2024 Agribusiness took over huge areas of the islands for cattle grazing, sugarcane and pineapple plantations. Jean Lee, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2024 The drinks menu prioritizes sugarcane and agave spirits: rums, tequilas and mezcals, in addition to more obscure spirits like Shōchū (from Japan), bacanora and sotol (northern Mexico) and rhum agricole (French Caribbean). David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 2 Feb. 2024 Mandalay Kitchen, in the former Marc Heu Patisserie spot on University and Western avenues, serves classic dishes like sugarcane juice, a green tea-leaf salad called lahpet thoke, and a Burmese fish stew called mohinga. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sugarcane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sugarcane was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sugarcane

Cite this Entry

“Sugarcane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sugarcane. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sugarcane

noun
sug·​ar·​cane ˈshu̇g-ər-ˌkān How to pronounce sugarcane (audio)
: a tall tropical grass that has a thick jointed stem and is widely grown in warm regions as a source of sugar
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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