ketchup

noun

ketch·​up ˈke-chəp  ˈka- 

variants or less commonly catchup

ˈke-chəp  ˈka- 

or catsup

ˈke-chəp  ˈka-  ˈkat-səp 

: a seasoned pureed condiment usually made from tomatoes

Examples of ketchup in a Sentence

She put ketchup on her hamburger.

Recent Examples on the Web

As for condiments, mayonnaise and ketchup are commonly used. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2025

Franks said toppings are the customer’s choice, but his choice is the simple condiment of ketchup. —Amelia Wu july 19, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2025

Add chili powder, black peppercorns, ketchup, soy sauce and 6 tablespoons water. Cook for 2 minutes, mix well, and once combined, turn off the heat. —Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 18 July 2025

The company owns lots of household brand names and products, like Heinz ketchup, Kraft macaroni and cheese, Kool-Aid, Oscar Mayer, Jell-O and Maxwell House. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed, directly or via Malay kecap (phonetically kətʃap) "fish sauce," from Southern Min (Chinese dialects of southeast Fujian) kôe-chiap (Xiamen), kê-chiap (Zhangzhou), from kôe, kê "salted or pickled fish or shellfish" + chiap "juice, sap"

First Known Use

circa 1690, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ketchup

• tomato ketchup

Rhymes for ketchup

• catsup

Kids Definition

ketchup

noun

ketch·​up

variants also catchup

ˈkech-əp,

ˈkach-

or catsup

ˈkech-əp 

ˈkach-;

ˈkat-səp

: a thick seasoned sauce usually made from tomatoes