nacho

noun

na·cho | \ ˈnä-(ˌ)chō

plural nachos

Definition of nacho

: a tortilla chip topped with melted cheese and often additional savory toppings (such as hot peppers or refried beans)

Examples of nacho in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Every October, the International Nacho Festival takes place in Piedras Negras, with a carnival parade and nacho-making competitions. — Julia Webster, Time, "Nacho Average Doodle! Google Celebrates Ignacio Anaya García, the Creator of Nachos," 15 Aug. 2019 If burgers and nachos married, this would be the offspring. — Chuck Blount, ExpressNews.com, "52 Weeks of Burgers: Mad Mack’s Burger Co.," 26 July 2019 Even shrimp nachos brought some swerve, laid out with rich Manchego cheese and a bright poblano cream. — Mike Sutter, ExpressNews.com, "Review: Cappy’s keeps its groove as Alamo Heights’ go-to restaurant," 18 July 2019 These nachos are also offered with french fries as the base in lieu of chips. — Lindsey Mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "This Mexican restaurant near U of L serves up some indulgent (and big!) food," 3 July 2019 The menu also includes yeasted versions of horchata, tres leches, and nacho, a savory donut with jalapeño, cheddar, and hot sauce. — Theo Stroomer, National Geographic, "This is the donut capital of the United States," 5 June 2019 Greg Baker, of The Refinery in Tampa, dreamed up these decadent nachos for Town & Country. — Stephanie Wu, Town & Country, "The Fanciest Nachos You'll Ever Eat," 1 Feb. 2014 Remove the baking sheet from the oven; top each nacho with a jalapeno slice and a small dab of sturgeon caviar. — Stephanie Wu, Town & Country, "The Fanciest Nachos You'll Ever Eat," 1 Feb. 2014 Those dishes include cauliflower tacos, chips and salsa, a nacho bowl featuring nachos topped with 3 bean chili, a veggie cobb salad, and a black bean burger. — Lauren Delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Vegan night sprouting up in Orlando City Stadium for Saturday's Pride game," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nacho.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for nacho

probably borrowed from Spanish Nacho, hypocoristic form of the personal name Ignacio

Note: According to a story that apparently first appeared in the San Antonio Express on May 23, 1954 ("Nacho's? Natch!", by Clarence D. LaRoche, p. 3H), the dish was devised in 1940 by Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya García (1895-1975), a waiter (in other versions a maitre d' or chef) at a restaurant in Piedras Negras, Mexico. As related by LaRoche and in later versions, the story has stock elements of a culinary origin myth: late in the day a waiter or chef is pressed to come up with food to satisfy hungry customers and with limited ingredients left in the kitchen invents a new dish. Similar stories purport to explain the origins of other eponymous dishes, as the Reuben sandwich, Buffalo wings and Caesar salad. Though a print connection between "Nacho" Anaya and nachos is relatively early—predating the popularity of the snack outside south Texas—the first citations for nacho, in 1948 and 1949, make no reference to him.

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