jalapeño
noun
ja·la·pe·ño
ˌhä-lə-ˈpā-(ˌ)nyō 
ˌha-,
-ˈpā-(ˌ)nō,
-ˈpē-(ˌ)nō
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
It is then served on a warm flour tortilla topped with cilantro, onions, and a sweet and savory salsa made with jalapenos and onions.
—
Charlie Vargas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Fall Harvest Salsa Made with butternut squash, pumpkin, apples and even jalapenos, Trader Joe’s fall harvest salsa gives an autumn twist on a snack staple.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
The restaurant, which has locations around the globe, is known for signature dishes like its miso black cod, yellowtail and jalapeno appetizer, and their take on spicy tuna with crispy rice.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 21 Oct. 2023
Most of a jalapeno’s heat comes from the seeds and whitish innards.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 27 July 2023
Spice up the sauce with some jalapeno or grated fresh ginger.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023
In the kitchen, Medel chopped tomatoes, jalapeno and onion for huevos rancheros.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
Customize flavor and heat simply by adjusting amount of sweet bells vs. hot jalapeno peppers.
—Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
Top burgers with salty-sweet Bacon-and-Sweet Onion Jam. Punch up fruit jam or jelly with unexpected additions like jalapeno, rosemary, or mustard seeds.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2023
See More
Charlie Vargas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Fall Harvest Salsa Made with butternut squash, pumpkin, apples and even jalapenos, Trader Joe’s fall harvest salsa gives an autumn twist on a snack staple.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
The restaurant, which has locations around the globe, is known for signature dishes like its miso black cod, yellowtail and jalapeno appetizer, and their take on spicy tuna with crispy rice.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 21 Oct. 2023
Most of a jalapeno’s heat comes from the seeds and whitish innards.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 27 July 2023
Spice up the sauce with some jalapeno or grated fresh ginger.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023
In the kitchen, Medel chopped tomatoes, jalapeno and onion for huevos rancheros.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
Customize flavor and heat simply by adjusting amount of sweet bells vs. hot jalapeno peppers.
—Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
Top burgers with salty-sweet Bacon-and-Sweet Onion Jam. Punch up fruit jam or jelly with unexpected additions like jalapeno, rosemary, or mustard seeds.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2023
See More
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
Articles Related to jalapeño
Dictionary Entries Near jalapeño
Cite this Entry
“Jalapeño.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jalape%C3%B1o. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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