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

Diet and weight-management shifts tied to GLP-1 medications are already showing up in zero-sugar Jell-O and ketchup. — Shelley E. Kohan, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Same goes for condiments, including mustard and ketchup squeeze bottles. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 27 July 2026

Kraft Heinz inked a deal with Disney to supply ketchup, mac and cheese, and other products to the entertainment giant's North American properties. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 July 2026

The first registers as a quasi Italian ketchup, sweet with tomato paste, a little red wine vinegar and garlic. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 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