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

What's next: The inevitable debate — does ketchup belong on tamales? —Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024

All three Melts are slathered in Stacker Sauce, Burger King's proprietary mayo/ketchup mixture. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2024

The usual suspects of ketchup, barbecue sauce and Frank’s Red Hot are all present. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Make sauce and simmer meatballs: Bring ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, hot sauce, and remaining 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to a simmer in a large high-sided skillet over medium, stirring often to dissolve sugar, about 2 minutes. —Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024

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

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