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
Examples of saffron in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Then there are specialty herbs that are difficult to source or harvest, such as saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, which requires around 70,000 Crocus sativus flowers to yield just one pound of threads.
—
Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2025
Everything from white aluminum, to carrara white, to bold saffron yellow and papaya metallic, to cool frozen blue and black metallic.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
The brown gray overcast turned to saffron yellow, and the sun burning through it drained the river of its color and faded even the vivid green of the thickly timbered islands.
—Arthur Grahame, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2025
Even better is the rock shrimp Israeli cous cous scented with saffron and studded with zucchini, tomato and lemon.
—John Mariani, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
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Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2025
Everything from white aluminum, to carrara white, to bold saffron yellow and papaya metallic, to cool frozen blue and black metallic.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 June 2025
The brown gray overcast turned to saffron yellow, and the sun burning through it drained the river of its color and faded even the vivid green of the thickly timbered islands.
—Arthur Grahame, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2025
Even better is the rock shrimp Israeli cous cous scented with saffron and studded with zucchini, tomato and lemon.
—John Mariani, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for saffron
Cite this Entry
“Saffron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saffron. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
saffron
noun
saf·fron
ˈsaf-rən 
1
: the orange usually powdered dried stigmas of a purple-flowered crocus that are used especially to color or flavor foods
2
: an orange to orange yellow color
Medical Definition
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
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