habanero

noun

ha·​ba·​ne·​ro ˌ(h)ä-bə-ˈn(y)er-ō How to pronounce habanero (audio)
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
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.
Unlike most fruity orange sauces, the Pickled Prince version isn’t sugar-forward — kumquats have the perfect mixture of sweet punch and pucker to complement the habanero. Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025 The pickled habanero onion and tropical vinaigrette bring a zing that wakes up your palate, while the crispy tortilla bowl adds just the right crunch. Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 Measuring between 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), the peppers are spicier than cayenne and serrano peppers but fall below habanero peppers. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2025 In a 2015 taste test of hot sauces (from Tapatío to habanero) for this paper with former food editor Amy Scattergood, Gold, Harris and chef judges Roy Choi and Alvin Cailan, Lao Gan Ma’s chili crisp was the winner. Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for habanero

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish (chile) habanero, literally, Havanan chili

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of habanero was in 1972

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Cite this Entry

“Habanero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habanero. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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