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

Stir in 31/2 cups water, the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, and pepper; bring to boiling. — Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026

Their meatloaf, which is made with a blend of tomatoes, onions, and green peppers, plus that familiar ketchup topping, is one of our readers’ favorite meals to order. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026

If sauce is thick, add a few splashes of water to loosen to the consistency of ketchup. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026

The Baconator is made with two beef patties, six strips of bacon, two slices of American cheese, ketchup and mayonnaise on a toasted bun. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

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