molasses

noun

mo·​las·​ses mə-ˈla-səz How to pronounce molasses (audio)
1
: the thick dark to light brown syrup that is separated from raw sugar in sugar manufacture
2
: a syrup made from boiling down sweet vegetable or fruit juice
citrus molasses
see also:
slow as molasses

Examples of molasses 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.
Ujjo brings notes of cocoa, vanilla, molasses, and cinnamon to this spicy mixer. — Vanessa Powell, Men's Health, 9 Dec. 2022 Deep aromas of molasses, cherries, sage, tarragon and allspice. — Tom Mullen, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023 Sourced from Brazil and Sumatra, these beans offers notes of Mission Fig, molasses, and allspice. — Sam Peters, ELLE, 17 Dec. 2022 Add ketchup, bourbon, molasses, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. — Kristina Kurek, Country Living, 6 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for molasses

Word History

Etymology

modification of Portuguese melaço, from Late Latin mellaceum grape juice, from Latin mell-, mel honey — more at mellifluous

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of molasses was in 1582

Phrases Containing molasses

Rhymes for molasses

See All Rhymes for molasses

Browse Nearby Words

molassed
molasses
molasses grass
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Molasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molasses. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

molasses

noun
mo·​las·​ses mə-ˈlas-əz How to pronounce molasses (audio)
: a thick brown syrup that is separated from raw sugar in sugar manufacture

More from Merriam-Webster on molasses

Nglish: Translation of molasses for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about molasses

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All