cayenne pepper

noun

1
: a pungent condiment consisting of the ground dried fruits or seeds of hot peppers
2
: hot pepper
especially : any of several cultivated peppers of a variety (Capsicum annuum longum) with very long twisted pungent red fruits
3
: the fruit of a cayenne pepper

Examples of cayenne pepper in a Sentence

a dash of cayenne pepper
Recent Examples on the Web Peppery Chicken Wings Allspice, cloves, cayenne pepper and sweet paprika give these wings a warming, pepper taste. Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2024 Whisk together the flour, paprika, cinnamon, allspice and cayenne pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle the mixture over the onion and stir to coat. Sheri Castle, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 For additional flavor and color, add carrots, mushrooms, bell pepper, peas, or diced jalapeños, as well as cayenne pepper or bay leaves to the soup while simmering. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2023 The cayenne pepper and cinnamon aren’t just for flavor, either. Sarah Garone, Health, 31 Jan. 2024 Combine olive oil, lime juice, salt and optional cayenne pepper. Carlos Frías, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Heat up your Valentine's Day with Wingstop's Hot Honey dry rub wings, available for a limited time starting Feb. 14, delivering sweet flavors with a bold kick of cayenne pepper and ancho chili. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Add cumin, smoked paprika, chili flakes, cayenne pepper, and tomato paste, and sauté for two more minutes. Jordan P. Hickey, Longreads, 22 Feb. 2024 Thanks to a plethora of spices and a shaking of cayenne pepper, these scallops are hot! Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cayenne pepper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from earlier cayan, ultimately modification of Tupi kɨʔɨ̃já, kɨʔɨ̃nʸá

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cayenne pepper was in 1756

Dictionary Entries Near cayenne pepper

Cite this Entry

“Cayenne pepper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cayenne%20pepper. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on cayenne pepper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!