chorizo

noun

cho·​ri·​zo chə-ˈrē-(ˌ)zō How to pronounce chorizo (audio)
-(ˌ)sō
plural chorizos
: a seasoned, coarsely ground, pork sausage
a
: a spicy or sweet ground pork sausage that is seasoned especially with smoked paprika, is used chiefly in Spanish cooking, and is typically sold dried and cured in casings
b
: a spicy ground pork sausage that is seasoned with chili powder and other spices (such as cumin or garlic), is used chiefly in Mexican cooking, and is typically sold uncooked either loose or in casings

Examples of chorizo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The flapjack was fluffy, the taters were crunchy and buttery, the chorizo had a spicy kick, and the pungent sourdough bread crunched. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025 Wells only gave it a 73 out of 100 after giving a chorizo burrito an 87 in his first post. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025 Owner Maria Rodriguez takes the time to drain the chorizo and mix the crumbles while cooking the egg so the filling is evenly seasoned. Edmund Tijerina, Bon Appétit, 27 Feb. 2025 Start your meal with Indian pakoras pastry stuffed with spicy chorizo, then choose your region for dinner. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chorizo

Word History

Etymology

Spanish

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chorizo was in 1802

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chorizo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chorizo. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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!