ketchup

noun

ketch·​up ˈke-chəp How to pronounce ketchup (audio) ˈka- How to pronounce ketchup (audio)
: 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 Other ingredients that can be difficult for restaurant owners to source in Chicago include Barako coffee, banana ketchup and Filipino soy sauce (toyo). Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Oct. 2024 Her favorite chapter of the book is devoted to condiments, but not traditional ones like ketchup and mustard. Erin Clements, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024 Anyone who ate like a garbage disposal and counted ketchup as a vegetable throughout his or her 20s will tell you that. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 Stir together ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl until combined. Renu Dhar, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ketchup 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ketchup.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ketchup was circa 1690

Dictionary Entries Near ketchup

Cite this Entry

“Ketchup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ketchup. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

ketchup

noun
ketch·​up
variants also catchup
ˈkech-əp,
ˈkach-
or catsup
ˈkech-əp How to pronounce ketchup (audio)
ˈkach-;
ˈkat-səp
: a thick seasoned sauce usually made from tomatoes

More from Merriam-Webster on ketchup

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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