N. 1. A Japanese dish consisting of food, such as beef or chicken, that has been marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sake (or sherry), sugar, ginger and seasonings before being grilled, broiled or fried. The sugar in the marinade gives the cooked food a slight glaze. 2. A homemade or commercially prepared sauce made with the above ingredients. teriyaki adj. A phrase describing food cooked in this manner, as in "chicken teriyaki. "