The slang word "sesh" has become increasingly common in English language use, especially among younger groups. But what exactly does this informal term mean and what is its origin? Let's take a closer look at the definition and usage of "sesh."
The word "sesh" is slang meaning a session, a period of time spent on an activity or experience. It's used as short for "session" in a casual way.
According to the Collins English Dictionary, the definition of sesh is: "a session, a period of time spent doing a particular thing or activity."
So a sesh can refer to any activity or experience that involves hanging out for a period of time. Some examples are:
The term is very flexible and can mean different things depending on the context. It's often used when referring to recreational activities done in groups.
Where did this slang use of "sesh" come from? The origin of the word as a shortened form of session dates back to the 1950s in England.
It first emerged as British slang used by jazz musicians and fans. They would refer to impromptu jam sessions as "seshs."
The word then became more widely used in the UK and Australia from the 1980s onward to refer to drinking sessions or parties where alcohol and drugs were involved.
The shorthand "sesh" was a casual way to talk about these hedonistic group activities. From the British and Australian slang, the term spread to other English-speaking countries.
A smoke sesh - hanging out and smoking with friends
While "sesh" originated as a noun, it is now commonly used as a verb meaning to take part in an activity or experience.
Here are some examples of sesh used in a sentence:
The verb form is very casual and mostly used in spoken English rather than formal writing. It implies spending an extended time participating in an activity in a leisurely way with others.
Yes, sesh is informal slang meaning a session. It's a shortened version of the word "session."
Both session and sesh refer to a period of time spent doing an activity. But sesh is more casual and typically used when talking about recreational group activities.
While a work session is more likely to be called a session, hanging out with friends would probably be referred to as a sesh. The slang term implies leisure over work.
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The verb form is very casual and mostly used in spoken English rather than formal writing
While sesh is widely used in casual speech, you won't find it in most standard English dictionaries. Since it's an informal slang term, it's typically not included in formal dictionaries.
However, some modern online dictionaries do provide a definition of sesh to reflect its common slang usage.
For example, the Collins English Dictionary defines sesh simply as: "a session, a period of time spent doing a particular thing or activity."
The Cambridge Dictionary also provides this definition: "a period of time that you spend doing a particular activity or talking to someone."
These straightforward definitions help explain the slang meaning to those unfamiliar with the term sesh. They indicate it is short for session and refers informally to any prolonged activity done in a group.
Some dictionaries also provide example sentences like:
These example uses in context further illustrate how sesh is casually used in everyday speech. While not yet in the Oxford English Dictionary, sesh has clearly established itself in slang vernacular.