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Definition of hoisin

hoisin

/ˈhɔɪ.zɪn/
hoi · sin
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hoisin Lexical Profile

hoisin Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A thick, dark, sweet and salty Chinese sauce made primarily from fermented soybeans, garlic, vinegar, and various spices, commonly used as a glaze, meat marinade, or dipping sauce in East Asian cuisine.

Example

"She brushed the roast duck with a generous layer of hoisin before placing it back into the oven to crisp."

• Nearby Words

hogwash
hogweed
hoh
hoisin
hoist
hokey
hokeypokey

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Cantonese 'hai sin' (海鮮), literally meaning 'seafood'. Despite its name, the sauce contains no animal products and is rarely served with seafood, being traditionally paired instead with meats like roast duck or pork.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hoisin. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hoisin
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