sushi

noun

: a category of Japanese dishes (such as nigiri and sushi rolls) that are typically made with vinegar-dressed rice topped or rolled with raw or cooked seafood, vegetables, or cooked egg and often other ingredients (such as nori, avocado, or cucumber)
going out for sushi
a sushi bar/restaurant
Shinjuku, which takes its name from a Tokyo rail station, uses robots and miniature bullet trains with a constantly rotating conveyor belt to deliver sushi to diners.—Sue Gleiter

Note: While sashimi is sometimes considered a type of sushi, the two are more typically distinguished from one another.

… open New Year's Eve, serving sushi, sashimi and a blend of Japanese and Japanese-American dishes …—Bradley Hohulin
see also sushi rice

Examples of sushi 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 entryway would lead to a grand dining room in the back of the space, where customers could experience an upscale, revamped version of Leilani Asian Fusion that includes a sushi bar, said Kemph. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 The casual setup and price points at Tiger’s Den swing the sushi pendulum away from ultra luxury and back toward its origins in Japan as a quick, working-class meal. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 The handwashing sink in the front sushi area was blocked by a full bag of ice placed inside the sink basin. — Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Some of the many offerings include sandwiches, sushi, pizza, and a cheese shop with varieties aged in Wegmans’ famed Cheese Caves. — Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sushi

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sushi was in 1879

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sushi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sushi. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

sushi

noun
: cold rice formed into any of various shapes and topped or wrapped with pieces of often raw seafood or vegetables

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