cayenne pepper

noun

1
: a pungent condiment consisting of the ground dried fruits or seeds of hot peppers
2
: hot pepper
especially : any of several cultivated peppers of a variety (Capsicum annuum var. longum) with very long twisted pungent red fruits
3
: the fruit of a cayenne pepper

Examples of cayenne pepper in a Sentence

a dash of cayenne pepper
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prep Onions In an extra large bowl combine butter, thyme, garlic salt, smoked paprika, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2025 The company also said the BBQ Ranch sauce is a combination of ranch dressing and BBQ sauce, while the Buffalo Bleu is buffalo sauce blended with bleu cheese, cayenne pepper and garlic. Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025 Handcuffs, rope, bloody gauze, and a mixture of cayenne pepper and honey were found in a locked safe. Claudia Rosenbaum, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025 Authorities went on to reveal further horrors perpetuated by Ruby and Hildebrandt, such as handcuffing the children to the ground and dressing their wounds with honey and cayenne pepper. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cayenne pepper

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from earlier cayan, ultimately modification of Tupi kɨʔɨ̃já, kɨʔɨ̃nʸá

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cayenne pepper was in 1756

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Cite this Entry

“Cayenne pepper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cayenne%20pepper. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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