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

The company features iconic product names such as Heinz ketchup, Grey Poupon mustard, and a portfolio of hot sauces, dressings, and condiments. —Joe Cornell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

There were food shortages and power outages; a bottle of ketchup might cost nine dollars, while the monthly minimum wage was six dollars. —Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

Jason Kelce asked if Mahomes still dips his steak in ketchup. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025

The sausage had a nice spice, and the amount of ketchup was just enough to coat all the ingredients. —Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 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