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

Providing a tangy topping to the bowl is our creamy aioli, which is made with low-fat mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, garlic and onion powders, and black pepper. —Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 16 Aug. 2025

Consider creating a well of ketchup to dip your hash browns into (rather than drizzling the ketchup overtop them), and legend has it some folks have smuggled their own toppings. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2025

Even Richard Nixon was known to pair his with ketchup. —Marisa McMillan, Outside, 6 Aug. 2025

At first sip, the berries are the dominant taste, but then the ketchup adds another layer of dimension without being overpowering. —Erin Clements, People.com, 5 Aug. 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