variants
or less commonly sumach
1
: any of a genus (Rhus) of trees, shrubs, and woody vines of the cashew family that have leaves turning to brilliant colors in the autumn, small usually dioecious flowers, and spikes or loose clusters of red or whitish berries compare poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac
2
: a material used in tanning and dyeing that consists of dried powdered leaves and flowers of various sumacs
3
: the tart dried and ground red berries of several sumacs (such as Rhus coriaria) used as a spice especially in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking
Examples of sumac in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Start with that sweet bounty of summer corn, and then add sumac and feta to add just the right amount of flavor and zest to this go-to summer recipe.
—
Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
Squeeze the remaining lemon half over the chicken, drizzle with the sauce or serve on the side, and garnish with the parsley and sumac, if using.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
Shrubs such as fragrant sumac and common lilac tend to sucker or send out new sprouts from the roots.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
Growing two feet tall and spreading up to 8 feet wide, 'Gro-Low' sumac is excellent for stabilizing slopes or naturalizing in native gardens.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sumac
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.
Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
Squeeze the remaining lemon half over the chicken, drizzle with the sauce or serve on the side, and garnish with the parsley and sumac, if using.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
Shrubs such as fragrant sumac and common lilac tend to sucker or send out new sprouts from the roots.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
Growing two feet tall and spreading up to 8 feet wide, 'Gro-Low' sumac is excellent for stabilizing slopes or naturalizing in native gardens.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sumac
Cite this Entry
“Sumac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sumac. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sumac
noun
su·mac
variants
also sumach
ˈsü-ˌmak 
ˈshü-
1
: a material used in tanning and dyeing made of the leaves and other parts of sumac
2
: any of a genus of trees, shrubs, and woody vines related to the cashew and having leaves turning to brilliant colors in autumn, spikes or loose clusters of red or whitish berries, and in some cases leaves or berries that are irritating to the skin compare poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac
Medical Definition
sumac
noun
su·mac
: any of various plants of the genus Rhus including several (as poison sumac) having foliage poisonous to the touch compare poison ivy, poison oak
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share