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

That dish inspires Grillbird’s glossy house sauce, sweetened just enough with pineapple juice and ketchup. — Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026

Past participants have dressed their dogs as hot dogs (owners as ketchup and mustard), Dumbo, and the Pope. — Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, chorizo, garlic, ketchup, salt, cumin, and paprika. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Its bitterness is a secret weapon, countering the sweetness of the ketchup and complementing the warm notes the bourbon imparts. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 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