1. a North American tree with aromatic bark and leaves, used for flavoring and formerly in root beer
2. the dried root bark of this tree used as a flavoring agent

Examples

• The sassafras tree grows wild throughout the eastern United States.
• Traditional root beer was flavored with sassafras extract.
• She collected sassafras leaves to make tea.
• The old recipe called for sassafras root as the main ingredient.
• Sassafras has a distinctive spicy, sweet aroma.
• Native Americans used sassafras for medicinal purposes.
• The sassafras tree can be identified by its mitten-shaped leaves.