jalapeño

noun

ja·​la·​pe·​ño ˌhä-lə-ˈpā-(ˌ)nyō How to pronounce jalapeño (audio)
ˌha-,
-ˈpā-(ˌ)nō,
-ˈpē-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce jalapeño (audio)
variants or less commonly jalapeno
plural jalapeños also jalapenos
: a small plump dark green chili pepper of Mexico and the southern U.S.

called also jalapeño pepper

Examples of jalapeño in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Specialty burritos include the General T., with chicken tossed in General Tso’s sauce, white rice, sour cream, fresh jalapenos and cheese – and the Nashville, with fried chicken, Nashville hot sauce, white rice, pickles, sour cream or ranch. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 29 Feb. 2024 Others like jalapenos and tomatoes come at an additional price. Jessica Rodriguez, Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024 When Winslow’s opened, families went for pizzas like the Jim Bowie: barbecued chicken and bacon with barbecue sauce and jalapenos ($19). Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2024 Slowly add the beer, then garnish with a strawberry and jalapeno. John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2024 There's jalapeno cheddar, hot white cheddar, and the Snakebite. The Indianapolis Star, 19 Jan. 2024 As for the pho, each choice comes with bean sprouts, basil, jalapenos and lime on the side, plus green onions, yellow onions and cilantro garnish. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2024 Muddle the jalapeno slices in your glass with the tequila. John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2024 Schmear options include plain, rosemary garlic, toasted everything, jalapeno, dirty martini, cinnamon sugar, Oreo cheesecake and more. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jalapeño.' 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

Mexican Spanish, from jalapeño, adjective, of Jalapa

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jalapeño was in 1931

Dictionary Entries Near jalapeño

Cite this Entry

“Jalapeño.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jalape%C3%B1o. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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