saffron
noun
saf·fron ˈsa-ˌfrän 
-frən
-frən 1
a
: the deep orange aromatic pungent dried stigmas of a purple-flowered crocus (Crocus sativus) used to color and flavor foods and formerly as a dyestuff and in medicine
b
: the crocus supplying saffron
2
: a moderate orange to orange yellow
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web And India itself, with its official secularism and three-colored flag (including saffron for Hindus and green for Muslims), was showing its fraying seams. 
Siva Vaidhyanathan, The New Republic, 16 Aug. 2022 While the company’s spice blends and its iconic saffron have been a hit, the brand has now launched salts blended with their fragrant spices, such as the wild foraged fennel, black cumin from the Hindu Kush, and dill seed from Herat. Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 29 June 2022 Turn heads with Tom Ford's sweet yet spicy blend of vanilla, saffron and coriander. April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, 22 July 2022 When Toor arrived, wearing a loose, saffron-colored linen shirt over matching pants, Feinstein showed him around. Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 In Tanzania, as recorded by the German social anthropologist Hanna Nieber, healers inscribe verses from the Quran in saffron-hued ink on a plate, then rinse it and give the water, now rich with the holy word, to their patients as medicine. New York Times, 11 May 2022 There’s also a salt blend with their flagship, the saffron. Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 29 June 2022 At the table, a reduction of saffron and orange completes the canvas. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 20 June 2022 For that ceremony, Aaron wore a saffron suit completely covered in micro glass beads that is now part of Bode’s collection. Vogue, 6 June 2022 See More
Siva Vaidhyanathan, The New Republic, 16 Aug. 2022 While the company’s spice blends and its iconic saffron have been a hit, the brand has now launched salts blended with their fragrant spices, such as the wild foraged fennel, black cumin from the Hindu Kush, and dill seed from Herat. Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 29 June 2022 Turn heads with Tom Ford's sweet yet spicy blend of vanilla, saffron and coriander. April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, 22 July 2022 When Toor arrived, wearing a loose, saffron-colored linen shirt over matching pants, Feinstein showed him around. Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 In Tanzania, as recorded by the German social anthropologist Hanna Nieber, healers inscribe verses from the Quran in saffron-hued ink on a plate, then rinse it and give the water, now rich with the holy word, to their patients as medicine. New York Times, 11 May 2022 There’s also a salt blend with their flagship, the saffron. Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 29 June 2022 At the table, a reduction of saffron and orange completes the canvas. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 20 June 2022 For that ceremony, Aaron wore a saffron suit completely covered in micro glass beads that is now part of Bode’s collection. Vogue, 6 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French saffron, safren, from Medieval Latin safranum, from Arabic zaʽfarān
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing saffron
Kids Definition
saffron
noun
saf·fron ˈsa-frən
1
: an orange spice that is made from the dried stigmas of a crocus and is used to color or flavor foods
2
: an orange to orange yellow
Medical Definition
saffron
noun
saf·fron ˈsaf-rän -rən
-rən 1
: the deep orange aromatic pungent dried stigmas of a purple-flowered crocus used to color and flavor foods and formerly as a dyestuff and as a stimulant antispasmodic emmenagogue in medicine
2
: a purple-flowered crocus (Crocus sativa) that is the source of saffron
called also saffron crocus