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

Add bell peppers, tomato, shallot and jalapeno and continue cooking 2 minutes, stirring frequently. —C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 15 Mar. 2026

The chicken al pastor is topped with pineapple, avocado, jalapeno salsa and queso fresco. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

This crunchy, festive slaw recipe combines sweet pineapple with spicy jalapenos for a side dish that can get the party started. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026

The pile of roast beef comes with swiss cheese and jalapeno bacon jam, on a deli roll, with au jus on the side. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the tomato, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice and salt. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026

The 18-inch thin and foldable pies include a Margherita pizza, a 'za called The Stockyard with sausage and mushrooms, and one called The Heatwave topped with Calabrian chili oil, pepperoni and jalapeno. —Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026

Adelman is different, the bell pepper to Malone’s jalapeno heat. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026

Garnish with cilantro and jalapeno (if using). —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, from jalapeño, adjective, of Jalapa

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above