habanero
noun
ha·ba·ne·ro
ˌ(h)ä-bə-ˈn(y)er-ō 
variants
or less commonly habañero
: a very hot roundish chili pepper (Capsicum chinense) that is usually orange when mature
Examples of habanero in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Grab him this variety pack that comes with serrano, sriracha, and habanero hot sauces that add just the right kick to dishes.
—
Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023
An orange habanero pepper, by comparison, maxes out at about 325,000 SHU.
—Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2023
Customers can also try a new dish, Yellowbird Nacho Fries ($4.99): the fries topped with steak, warm nacho cheese sauce, and a Spicy Habanero Ranch sauce made with Austin, Texas, hot sauce maker Yellowbird’s habanero hot sauce.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2023
Finally, the team managed to breed a cayenne-esque pepper, derived from a habanero known as PBC932, that showed resistance to both anthracnose and another fungal infection, powdery mildew.
—Clarissa Wei, The New Yorker, 16 June 2023
Adding this coconut water to a ceviche lashed with lime and habanero tempers the acidity of the citrus juice and cools the heat of chiles with its nutty, sweet flavor.
—Paola Briseño-Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023
Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a platter and the onion wedges and habanero to a cutting board.
—Christopher Kimball, BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2023
Freeman flavors her rice with onion, tomato and habanero peppers cooked down with a long list of dry seasonings.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2023
Expect fun, fusion mash-ups like Spicy Vegetable Tempura served with habanero gochujang and jalapeño-pineapple salsa, and signature Pato Carnitas, teriyaki duck drizzled with hot hoisin infused with habanero and cumin.
—Nicole Trilivas, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2022
See More
Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023
An orange habanero pepper, by comparison, maxes out at about 325,000 SHU.
—Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2023
Customers can also try a new dish, Yellowbird Nacho Fries ($4.99): the fries topped with steak, warm nacho cheese sauce, and a Spicy Habanero Ranch sauce made with Austin, Texas, hot sauce maker Yellowbird’s habanero hot sauce.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2023
Finally, the team managed to breed a cayenne-esque pepper, derived from a habanero known as PBC932, that showed resistance to both anthracnose and another fungal infection, powdery mildew.
—Clarissa Wei, The New Yorker, 16 June 2023
Adding this coconut water to a ceviche lashed with lime and habanero tempers the acidity of the citrus juice and cools the heat of chiles with its nutty, sweet flavor.
—Paola Briseño-Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023
Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a platter and the onion wedges and habanero to a cutting board.
—Christopher Kimball, BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2023
Freeman flavors her rice with onion, tomato and habanero peppers cooked down with a long list of dry seasonings.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2023
Expect fun, fusion mash-ups like Spicy Vegetable Tempura served with habanero gochujang and jalapeño-pineapple salsa, and signature Pato Carnitas, teriyaki duck drizzled with hot hoisin infused with habanero and cumin.
—Nicole Trilivas, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'habanero.' 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
American Spanish (chile) habanero, literally, Havanan chili
First Known Use
1972, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near habanero
Cite this Entry
“Habanero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habanero. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share